The Bayou Kitchen
543 Deering Ave, Portland, ME, 04103
The Bayou Kitchen Menu
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Address :
543 Deering Ave
Portland, ME, 04103 - Phone (207) 774-4935
- Website https://www.bayoukitchenmaine.com/
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :7:00 am - 2:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Brunch
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : No
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : No
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : No
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No
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Greg J.
I've never met Tom Cruise. I'd really like to. He starred in Top Gun, my favorite movie, plus he seems really nice. I'm ok with not meeting him though. If it happens, it happens. I'm not going to live a life of regret over it or anything. One thing I most certainly would regret however, for eternity and beyond, is never having gone to The Bayou Kitchen. I've been going there for years and years and I've only ever ordered one thing. The first thing I got. I've tried bites of other people's orders, not strangers but the people I'm with, and it's all been fine. Delicious actually. Let me tell you something though. Listen up and listen good. It's all about them Juevos Rancheros. It's always been about them. Everything. I just didn't know it. I will cut you for some. No problem. It's not the traditional preparation. Far from it actually. Basically they take a cheese quesadilla, cover that gem in either delicious bean or beef chili, then two eggs cooked to your choosing and finally top it all of with a big, fat guy dream portion dollop of delicious, like affirming sour cream. Squirt some of the Lost Woods hot sauce on that feed pile and you're really in business. And trust me folks, business is good. You feel like chairman of the board laying tooth to that thing. I'm pretty sure it comes with home fries but they're inconsequential. Like the sucker fish on a shark. Be advised the portions ain't small. This is definitely what I refer to as a "plan breaker." You're not putting this beauty down and going hiking. That would turn sour but quick. And if you do eat this and then go hiking take it over to New Hampshire where that sort of behavior is acceptable because those people have no decency. My recommended post Bayou Rancheros activity is what the young kids call a nap. It's well worth clearing your schedule for though. It really is that good. A game changer. Makes me give this place five stars even with that "coffee" they serve. My aunt's second husband says they serve the same brand in prison.
(5)Lina F.
This place is all right but nothing beats Marcy's diner! Our breakfast omelettes had a bayou twist but nothing amazing.
(3)Flora F.
This place is worth it on off-hours when it's empty. The food is good, a reasonably-priced traditional breakfast with extra Cajun spice. The hom(e fr)ie(s) plates and the ginger pancakes are especially reliable. Contrary to received ideas about Southern hospitality, though, service can be brusque to rude. If the place is full, keep on walking. They feel no need to be courteous when the tables are full and they're not too shy to show it.
(3)Sheila D.
I actually really liked the food here. Got the omelette and asked to replace the sides and toast with fresh fruit. The waitress told me that she could "make it work" and then charged me full price for the fruit cup. I just couldn't believe that I was charged almost an extra $4 for fruit that I probably wouldn't have gotten if I had known that information. Other than that aspect, I thought this was a pretty fun breakfast place. Limited seating though, so try to come early... And parking is very difficult to find, so you may have to park in some lots for shops nearby. If you come, hopefully you have a better experience with the servers than I had.
(3)Ben S.
One part traditional diner food, one part authentic cajun food, all parts delicious. My first bite of their gumbo had me do that thing where you stare off into space, wide-eyed, unable to process just how good the thing was that you just ate. Do you know that thing that people do? I do it, I don't know if you do it. The point is, I did it, and that's a big deal to me. The gumbo is gat'dang perfect. Everything I've had at Bayou Kitchen has been a delight, and I've made it my mission to return and systematically get everything else on the menu. A word of caution, though: Their hours often go til "two-ish," (their words, not mine) and you need to realize that that's not just them being cute. We were craving cajun for lunch, and thought we'd make it at 1:30, to find that, nope, show's over. Will this hard learned lesson deter me from subsequent visits? Hail naw!
(5)Chang T.
This place is right around the corner from me and is always hopping! So I finally had a chance to try it today and was NOT disappointed. I got a seat right at the bar. The service was kinda rough throughout most of the meal (hence the 4 star review). Apparently it was a new waitress who was clearly in the weeds (industry slang for behind on her orders and tables and service to guests). It took maybe 20 minutes to get my order taken and an iced coffee. Then the food was out in under ten minutes and my god was it good! The scrambled eggs were the best I've ever had. The dirty beans & rice were incredibly spicy and savory without killing my mouth. And the blueberry pancakes have officially knocked The Front Room out of first place. Amazing! All in all I loved it and HIGHLY recommend it. I'm bringing my homie there next week to dine, in fact. Be prepared for a wait unless you go in early. But it will be totally worth it!
(4)Rich H.
Great place! Wide selection of bk options. Shelf of fire in corner features a variety of Hot sauces. Had polish sausage w onions provolone roasted red peppahs w side o beans y rice (spicy) and jalapeno corn bread. Friendly service! A must try for breakfast while in Portland!
(4)Brian W.
I am a huge fan of the Bayou Kitchen! It is a funky and friendly place that gets so many things right. They have a great everyday menu that runs from breakfast standard (eggs & bacon) to adventurous (Cajun Scramble). They also always have a handful of specials. Great mix of sweet and savory choices that are unique without feeling forced or gimmicky --The flavor comes first! Everything is always fresh and always made with the the love. My girlfriend and I are breakfast fiends and we have come up with a few tried and true tests of a breakfast place and BK nails them all. They are.... - Yellow Omelets - Nothing worse than a leathery brown omelet. BK's are delicate and tender and filled with fresh goodness. - Potatoes - Crispy and crusty on the outside, smooth inside. Spiced just enough. - Coffee - Fresh and frequently refilled. Really good for diner coffee. - Pancakes - Generous, crisp outside and moist inside. Never rubbery, which is the sign of a good pancake to me. Certain things that are my go to; Spicy Eggs over easy with Andouille and a side of beans and rice, cheddar jalapeno cornbread, pancakes off the specials board. Service is genuinely friendly and attentive. Everyone who works there seems happy to be there and it shows.
(5)Joe C.
What the heck? With a name like Bayou Kitchen why are many people passing up their Cajun selections and ordering ordinary breakfast items? It's hard to find a Cajun restaurant in the northeast so when I find one I'm all over it like a cat and a bag of catnip. They make one of the spiciest gumbos I've ever eaten. Not that I'm complaining because I always welcome bringing on "the heat". I'm just saying because somebody who doesn't like spicy things may find it hard to finish. But then I suppose they wouldn't be eating inside the Bayou Kitchen to begin with. It tasted fine, but the accompanying jalapeño cornbread was sort of greasy. Homey and interesting character are understatements in describing this place. It's tucked away in the Back Bay neighborhood of Portland and when I visited many hipsters and locals were eating inside. They seemed to be regulars because the servers knew them by name. God only know why they weren't at work working one particular Friday morning (my excuse was because of my vacation). Their menu isn't overly extensive but I guess it doesn't need to be when they only serve breakfast and lunch. No dinner. Their cajun selections could use a few more items but their hot sauce selections are spot on. They have a shelf full of them and many of them come from local companies.
(4)Sandra B.
I've driven by this place so many times, but never knew of its awesomeness! Breakfast the Cajun way is the way to go. Our family of five went here for a Sunday breakfast and we all ordered different things, but no one was dissatisfied. The pancakes are huge-so a good tip to remember. I had the homemade hash which was terrific. The omelettes with the Cajun sausages looked, and according to my family, tasted good too. The service was really good for a hopping Sunday morning. Who knew adding some spice to our breakfast routine would prove to be so worth it! Now we have another breakfast place to add to our list!
(4)Kat M.
Spicy eggs & andouille sausage were fabulous. Orange whip pancakes were different, in a good way. Cornbread is grilled, don't miss it. Servers were friendly & it's obvious they like working at the Bayou Kitchen. This is a great find off the beaten path, and be sure to check out the Big Sky Bakery in the same block (their granola is the best!).
(5)Ellen S.
First time customer unlikely to return. Hash oddly seasoned and almost had to chase server down just to get coffee refill. Beans and rice good, sausage expensive for serving size.
(3)Selina C.
This place is the perfect brunch hang out! The service is fantastic, all incredibly kind people. I always feel welcome when I'm there. Their food is on point, the pancakes are my favorite there as well as the home fries plate!
(4)Steff D.
I'm one of those people who looks at both menus and reviews before I eat at a new(-to-me) place. I spent some serious time combing through Yelp, and it seemed a common thread about The Bayou Kitchen was the "coffee cake and blueberry pancakes". People raved about how delicious they were! So, I knew it was definitely one of the things I wanted to try when I came here. However, when I asked my server about them, she just gave me a blank stare like she had no idea what I was talking about. I pressed her for info - "Are they a special?" She told me that they weren't and that the cooks could make me whatever I wanted. I ordered just one (seeing other folks talk about how enormous they are), but was sorely disappointed at what I got. The pancake, while sizable, wasn't - in my opinion - all that flavorful. It just seemed like a big round of underwhelming, dry dough. I couldn't taste the coffee/coffee cake in it at all, and I could barely taste the blueberries. Even sharing the single pancake with my friend, we didn't finish it... not because we couldn't, but because we didn't want to. I also ordered The Veggie Homies, because - again - I had read that the home fries were "some of the best in the city." I, again, respectfully disagree. They were good, but nothing special. Actually the entire dish ended up being pretty boring. Home fries topped with veggies (onion, broccoli, mushrooms), cheese, and a homemade salsa. I'm always disappointed when a meal at a restaurant ends up being something I could have just as easily made at home. And that's what I felt about The Veggie Homies. It was good... it just wasn't memorable. And definitely not worth going out for when the kitchen of Chez Steff could have produced something similar! Except for the salsa, that is. And THAT'S where I'll put my two cents in about "what to get" if you're coming to The Bayou Kitchen. The salsa was DELICIOUS. It wasn't too wet (which is a trait I hate about most salsas), it wasn't onion heavy (which many homemade salsas can be), and it packed a really delightful and unexpected punch of heat. It's probably one of the best salsas in town! If they could produce it for some of the Mexican restaurants in town, I'd be a very happy girl. Personally, if I'm going to go out for breakfast or brunch, there has to be a wow-factor. And for me, The Bayou Kitchen just didn't have it. In the end, I don't think TBK is awful... it's just not for me. I'm a vegetarian who cooks (really fabulous dishes) at home a lot. Because of those two things, The Bayou Kitchen just didn't impress me. But... BUT!... If you like meat, if you like traditional diner-style/greasy spoon food... this place might be right up your alley (for A LOT of people it is; that's just not my preferred cuisine, and neither is Cajun).
(2)Ethan D.
Unlike any other breakfast spot in town. A truly unique blend of traditional Cajun-style dishes made from fresh ingredients make for a one-of-a-kind breakfast/lunch. The scrambles and omelets are light and fluffy with blends of spicy meats, veggies, and cheeses. Will surely be back to check out the rest of the menu!
(5)Anthony F.
Def a local spot that is worth trying.Nothing fancy about this cajon greasy spoon, but it was delish! The kind of place where your sitting at a table waiting for it to be cleared from the previous patrons. That said you know it must be good cuz its filled with people waiting for breakfast on a Saturday morning. This spot is better if your not a boring eater, bit still has the run of the mill breakfast items to accommodate different strokes. Bustling atmosphere and really good food :)
(4)Yevgeniy B.
Average food with horrific service. They lied about the wait time 3 times, our original wait time went from 15 to 50 minutes. We were told we were next on the list only to watch 3 parties of similiar size get seated first. While it was cold outside we were also told to wait outside because of a fire code violation, they weren't as consistent with everyone when it comes to this policy. The waiter had a fake southern accent and the waitress couldn't even count to 10. Food was okay and I would come back if not for the terrible service.
(1)Christine L.
Liking the food here really is a matter of taste... I can see that other reviewers really LOVED their food. Unfortunately for me, I can't handle the amount of sodium and spice that was loaded into the Gumbo I ordered for lunch. Since it was gumbo, I wasn't all too disappointed by the brown goopy mass that came served with a small portion of white rice. I'm a self-proclaimed salt-lover, so I was surprised that I was needing to take gulps of my water with every scoop. This may be in part due to the spice, but I usually enjoy spicy things! I DID enjoy their jalapeno cornbread, the blueberry one was quite tasty as well! I was also wondering why our food took as long as it did, considering the gumbo should've been premade...
(2)Joshua S.
If only I could give these rascist zero I would. We noticed we were the only Asians there and we Sat there for 20 minutes without having our orders taken. Normally that'd be okay since they're busy but when our waiter sat a white couple next to us, then served then drinks and food within 5 minutes that's fucked up. So yeah screw this place. Eat at the place next door instead.
(1)Katie R.
The bayou kitchen is my favorite spot in Portland, hands down. Sometimes the wait can be a bit much, but trust me, its worth it! The food is Cajun inspired breakfast and lunch. Everything I've ever ordered has been spectacular. The service is always quick once you get seated, the staff is friendly and knowledgeable, and the prices are very reasonable. Absolutely the best home fries in Portland- they constantly have a big pile cooking on the grill, so they're always crispy and delicious. They have a whole shelf of hot sauces to choose from! Definitely one of the best hidden treasures in Portland!
(5)Sam B.
Alligator on the menu and a feisty Creole server are the stuff that five stars are made of but I'm happy to get an Acadian waitress and a great breakfast any day. Though Bayou Kitchen doesn't have real gator, it's still a colorful, delicious place to get a hearty helping of breakfasty goodness. I had the Gator Eggs (cheese, onion, jalapeno - no gator) with homies and can't even think about lunch three hours later, that's how filling it was. I have to admit, the home fries ("Homies") were pretty close to perfect.
(3)Emily L.
I loved the jalepino cornbread. I got this spicy soup that was amazing! I'll absolutely go back. Tiny little hole in the wall I never would have though walking in that I would like it so much. The staff was very friendly and you could see them cooking which was kinda cool.
(4)Jay N.
Busy breakfast spot and as a real, true-blooded boy from Acadiana (Cajun country, South Louisiana) I couldn't wait to try some of the local Cajun style fair. The gumbo is good; very good for the area and these folks seem dedicated to it. Not exactly like my mom would make, but this isn't Cajun country so I get it. A bit heavy on the file' but spiced just right, though not enough rice. They're popular for their red beans and rice (which is actually a Creole dish, not indigenous to the Cajun people, but still a staple down home). I unfortunately have to pass on that but it's still good if your'e hankering for RB&R. Not much of a roux in it and I'm not used to my red beans having the shredded beef; but again, not bad, just not authentic, to me. Service is friendly though when attempting to say hello to the owner, he was a bit barky. He was busy though. The wait is usually at least 20 minutes and we noticed that the place could easily fit a few more tables. The tables also are the size of playing cards, so not sure what's going on there, but it makes for an uncomfortable lunch or breakfast when you and your dining partner are nudging for space on the tiny table, already crowded with the accoutrements of small diners. For some odd reason they won't offer take out on weekends; perhaps they're just too busy to box the food up so if you want to take your leftovers home, bring some TupperWare... I did, but I'm country that way. ;-)
(3)Carlo G.
Went for breakfast and had some outstanding spicy eggs. The andouille sausage and jalapeño cornbread were delicious. There was one let down though. The grits were disappointing. They were VERY watery. So much so that they were served in a cup and as I let them sit they settled leaving a quarter inch of water on top. The kicker was when I asked the server if I could get a better batch. She went away and came back saying the boss said they had no time to get me some and she offered to not charge for the coffee. Personally I thought that was poor service since I was in the south last week and was greeted with a smile everywhere I went...overall I would give them another chance.
(2)Shantelle F.
Writing this review before I even leave the place.. Probably my favorite breakfast place in Portland which says a lot because I grew up here. Soooo many options and different kinds of foods. Great for vegetarians too. Awesome pancakes, flavored cornbreads and bomb homefries. I will definitely come back next time I am in town.
(5)Justine J.
Seriously, this place is good. The staff is awesome (and it's always the same 5-6 people there). Super friendly and hilarious. The atmosphere is laid-back. It's cozy in there and interesting to look around at the stuff on the walls. They've got an entire SEVERAL SHELVES worth of delicious hot sauce for your consumption. The granola pancakes are excellent, pecan pancakes are excellent, chocolate chip pancakes, regular pancakes... omelettes, breakfast sandwiches, home fries, sausage, bacon... yeah, now I'm drooling.
(5)Jason P.
I love this place, I always go for breakfast, I'm sure lunch is great as well. I recommend the rancheros or the home made corn beef hash. Jalapeño cornbread as well!
(5)Dani C.
My all time favorite breakfast place! This place has a Cajun flare. They have an extensive selection of delicious omlets! I have never tried the crawfish omlet but my friend for Louisiana said that if wasn't good.. But everything else is great! My favorite is the ginger pancakes and blueberry corn bread. Also this place fills up fast and it is small so be prepared to get there early or wait! If you have to wait I recommend browsing the art store across the street. In the summer it is sickly hot in there.. But they do have takeout and the food is worth it.
(5)Ashley R.
One of my favorite breakfast spots in the city. Great food, great service, good atmosphere. The whole menu is homemade and super tasty. Be sure to try the homemade blueberry or jalapeño cheddar cornbread!
(5)Ian E.
Best brunch in Portland. Awesome selection of hot sauces. The huevos rancheros and piquant soup are my favorite items on the menu. The omelets are also great.
(5)Joseph S.
Hands down the BEST breakfast place in Portland. Great food and outstanding service! The veggie swamp omelet and the side of blueberry cornbread is to die for... a must if you live anywhere near Portland.
(5)John N.
Hands down the best breakfast in Portland! Their hash was amazing. My wife got one of their specials and was in heaven from the first bite! This is our new spot.
(5)Emily B.
I have mixed feelings about Bayou Kitchen. Given that it's my neighborhood breakfast spot, I have a certain attachment to it, but I often wonder if it's an affinity that would stick around if I didn't live in the area. For one thing, you almost always have to wait here, unless you a) go early or b) choose to dine by yourself or maybe one other person, so you can sit at the counter. The place is efficient, but small, so it's hard to accommodate big groups in a timely fashion. I would imagine I'd be more impressed by this place if I ate meat, since it seems like they have some creative New Orleans-style fare, but as it stands I usually go for standard eggs & grits, or a build-your-own omelette. Their specials should also be taken into consideration, and if they have blueberry coffeecake pancakes, you should get one. Their pancakes are big enough that my boyfriend and I usually split one in addition to our own meals. Hot sauce is standard on all tables, but there's also a shelf of offerings you can choose from. I'm usually too overwhelmed by all the choices and stick with the table stuff. The staff here is friendly, and you'll see the same faces if you make a habit of stopping in regularly. Definitely give it a try, but keep in mind that it's more of a diner atmosphere than some of Portland's classier breakfast options.
(3)Elizabeth L.
One of my favorite breakfast places... Never too crowded or loud. Food is great (I love the huevos rancheros and their delicious cornbread.) The service is great, and the vibe is fun and relaxed. Can you tell I really love this place?
(5)Rachel D.
Friendly, comfort food about a 2 minute walk from my apartment. The staff at Bayou were friendly and laid back. We were one of three tables occupied and it was definitely a delicious breakfast. The coffee was great, and they also had a plethora of hot sauces - if you're into that sorta thing, which I can only assume you are since we're talking about a cajun breakfast place here. They also recommend the cornbread with breakfast, which I didn't hate but would probably just stick with regular toast next time. The staff definitely contributes to the atmosphere, and it's a perfect spot for a Sunday morning meal. I had the Baton Rogue but I will definitely be back to try their Huevos Rancheros.
(3)John O.
This place is a slap in the face in the morning and the best possible way to wake up! Went here on a weekend trip to Portland and LOVED every bite. I had the "Cajun Scramble" w/ crawfish, andouille sausage and jalapenos. Amazing! The side of red beans and rice was soooo good I wanted to take a tub of it home. My wife had the "3 Alarm Omlet" with Chilli, homemade salsa and sour cream. The omlet was perfectly cooked and HUGE! She is also a pancake fanatic and ordered a single pancake with pecans and granola. The pancake was the size of the plate and VERY thick, and cooked to perfection. I would highly recommend this place to anyone looking for the perfect start to a day!
(5)Martha C.
One of few places in Maine for New Orleans cuisine and it still delivers the flavors of the Crescent City. One tip though, on weekends, be sure to arrive before 9 am if you can but definitely before 10 am as that is when the wait starts to lengthen. No worries though because the efficient waitstaff has tables so well-paced that you won't mind. Diners are treated respectfully - not rushed nor do they sit waiting endlessly for orders to be taken or food to be delivered. Although the menu is a bit pricy for breakfast (the bill for 2 for our other favorite haunt in Lewiston routinely comes up under $20) you won't leave hungry. I've eaten both breakfast and lunch and can vouch for the authenticity of the N'awlins cuisine. Though I don't recall seeing beignets on the menu but you can get those up the street at Po' Boys 'n Pickles (another fave). Jambalaya brimming with chunks of Andouille sausage, veggies and al dente rice sided with red beans and rice as well as flaky biscuits the size of a cat's head and golden, slightly sweet cornbread. For breakfast, I thoroughly polished off the special scramble (you can have it as an omelet as well) polish sausage, caramelized onions and red peppers - a winning combo with a side of red beans 'n rice, and a biscuit nicely substituted for a toast. Parking is not a problem and this nice little one way street that acts as a gateway to the USM campus from the Woodfords side also is home to the amazing Artist and Craftsman Supply store should you care to wander around the aisles for some art supplies. For those who prefer a lighter breakfast, across the way is Big Sky Bakery that serves as a meeting place for families, business tête-à -têtes and for those who want a convivial atmosphere to check on email, etc. Bayou Kitchen has quietly graced the Portland restaurant scene since its heyday in the late 80's and I recall dining here along with Silly's, Katahdin, Good Egg Café, Alberta's and The Tree as well as dancing at Zootz. It's good to see that it's still going strong. Laissez les bon temps roulé!
(5)Christina F.
The jumbalaya with crawfish is awesome! A bit of a wait (no reservations taken) but friendly service... And really tasty home fries!
(5)Lynn B.
Totally worth our four mile trek for the Cajun scramble!
(4)Reagan C.
The Bayou Kitchen is a solid Cajun breakfast spot hidden off the beaten track in Portland. I went into the diner feeling very torn about my breakfast choices. I felt under some obligation to order something with crawfish or andouille sausage, but I had Yelped the joint the night before, and everyone was raving about the pancakes. Ok, you've all twisted my arm, despite my guilt, I decided to forgo the Cajun fare for some specialty pancakes. The pancake of the day was the Coffee Cake Pancake with Blueberries. I added a side of Bacon and an order of Real Maple Syrup to mine. My father did me a solid and ordered the Cajun scramble - a scrambled egg dish with jalapeños, andouille, and crawfish - and I was eager to taste test. With his meal, he got a side of grilled blueberry cornbread. As soon as the plates arrived, I grabbed a corner or his cornbread and got to chomping. It was ok, but I consider myself a cornbread connoisseur, and I was expecting a punch of flavor, which I did not receive. What did not disappoint, however, was my coffee cake pancake with blueberries. In all honesty, I was blown away with my first bite! The pancake was very nicely seasoned and really tasted like a coffee cake. Being in Maine, the blueberries were, of course, fresh and juicy. I stole a few bites of my dad's scramble, which was tasty, but I much preferred my choice. My side of bacon was a bit dry and unremarkable, but still ok and still bacon, so needless to say it was gone in about a minute. The service in the diner was good in general. I got the impression that our waiter was an owner or at least the manager. She was very personable and made great suggestions throughout the meal, and she was very accommodating to our special requests. At one point, two of the staff got into a loud argument in the middle of service, which did make the atmosphere somewhat uncomfortable, however our waiter drifted right back into the good customer service she exhibited earlier in the meal, and we continued on enjoying our food. I'm struggling a bit with the rating on this one. I really enjoyed my pancakes, but the disruption in service, mediocre bacon, and slightly disappointing cornbread bring it from a 4 to a 3. I would probably return here, but I'm not sure it's the first place I would revisit. A solid "A-ok!"
(3)Trevor L.
The food is great but it's not the cleanest place around. Found a nasty hair in our food which didn't help the feeling that the place was a bit dirty. Other than that, the food is tasty and the service friendly.
(3)Michael J.
Nice establishment. My family has several Cajun members, and this place, off the beaten track in Portland, ME, did in fact measure up. A small, friendly place with an alligator attached to the wall. How can you go wrong? My wife had the Huey P. Long plate with andouille sausage and spicy eggs, and I had the cajun scramble with crawfish and andouille...both were excellent and we ate every bit. We were lucky to get there early, as the place filled up quickly, and this was during a blizzard. Clearly it's a popular place, and earns its reputation as a tasty, cheap breakfast place.
(4)Cindi W.
ok, right on, not bad. This place was recommended to us when we were in South Carolina..ha! I am not a fan of spicy, but I am a fan of GRITS. This place has GRITS, hot and creamy. Speaking of spicy, they have a shelf with about 30 different hot sauces on it. WOW! I did put some spicy sauce in my grits. I had their hash with 2 eggs. Yummy! And I had their pumpkin cornbread which was damn good! It was pretty tasty. Hubby had a griddle cake that was big and fluffy with a side of sausage. He said the sausage was fantastic. I had their irish spice breakfast tea. it was good. but you know, we like ENGLISH BREAKFAST with no extra stuff. (like no Earl Grey) So my polite suggestion to this fab place is Please serve English Breakfast tea AND you may want to serve Cheesy Grits, in addition to plain grits. Your grits are good. Cheesy grits would be awesome. And for your previous reviews, this is Maine not Louisiana, so they do creole the New England way. It is dang good. Still sassy and spicy. If this was a bar, this place would ROCK! Oh, we will be back because we really liked this place.
(4)Bramfy B.
best scramble I've had to date. Cajun Scramble! - crawfish sausage jalepano scramble was a gift from the breaky gods. homemade hash on the side and blue berry cornbread. ate it all and want more
(5)Kyung R.
I don't understand the raving reviews for this place. I came here for lunch and had the gumbo, but it was pretty awful. It was overly salty, and I am a person who loves their spam! If there was any flavoring besides the salt, I could not tell. It was totally overwhelming and this is a place I will not come back to in the future. However, there are some positives to this place. The service was prompt and friendly. Even though the food took longer then expected, it was good overall. The power went out when ordering, so they were really helpful in working out how to pay our bill without access to our credit cards. The food I did enjoy was the cornbread, all their different varieties, and they were all amazing.
(2)Heather G.
Hands down the best breakfast diner in the area if you appreciate creativity and flavor and fantastic service. Bayou Kitchen is just a pleasure all around. The huevos rancheros are superb--perfectly balanced flavors and texture with an over easy egg. The hash is also delightful--not your average hash at all and do not pass up a side of cheddar jalapeño cornbread. The portions are generous and they make the best blueberry pancakes I've tasted in a long long time. If there's a wait, brave it out. You won't regret it!
(5)Hana O.
A hole in the wall. Very welcoming! The breakfast food is SO delicious oh my goodness. My family got French Bread on Italian bread, Banana Pancakes, and Chocolate Chip Pancakes.
(5)Kyle B.
We had just bought coffee at Coffee By Design, and decided to stop here for breakfast. When we took our coffee in, they gave us the option of holding it for us or, if we wanted to drink it, charge us for their coffee. All tables except one were empty at the time, and remained so. They won't be getting my business, ever.
(1)Han C.
I grew up in a small Alabama town called Bayou La Batre, which was fun for a kid who liked poking crawfish that would appear in the gutters. Aw, childhood memories of innocently torturing animals! I have always associated crawfish with the Bayou - so seeing those mudbugs on the menu here at the likenamed Kitchen instantly excited me. The BFF and I ordered: two single pancakes (ginger and the special pancake of the day - peaches and cream), a plate of the Cajun scramble (crawfish + cheddar + andouille sausage + pickled jalapenos) to share with home fries + pieces of jalapeno and blueberry grilled cornbreads. Yes. BREAKFAST FEAST. The service here is homey and so personable. The kitchen split our breakfast entree for us which I always looove! The moment the plates hit our tables, our noses were swoooning from the spice of the eggs and cornbread and the sweetness from the pancakes. And then we stopped talking to each other. We communicated only with nods after each bite. A confirmation that there were no words to describe the perfection. Everything was just divine. Mudbugs were ultra-plump, the sausage was so perfect, the cornbread crisped and golden, and the pancakes light and fluffy. Seriously too good. And not to call us geniuses (but you can feel free to call us that!), but I'd say we ordered the perfect amount of food for two - complete satiation without food baby impregnantion. Sweet!
(5)Charles W.
Great breakfast spot. Portland has two Cajun food spots, not bad at all. One day I will get the crayfish. Sometimes the wait can be a 20-30 minutes, but they did recently expand the place. Great hot sauce collection look for the hot sauce board!
(5)Sheila S.
I went for breakfast on a very hot July day. They do NOT have air conditioning. Not sure if they're trying to create the New Orleans ambiance or what. The red beans and rice were AWESOME. My food was good but I took it to go because it was too hot. Maybe I'll go sometime in December and give an actual review on the food.
(2)Katie P.
Hands down the beat breakfast place ever! I think the best way tot judge breakfast is coffee and homefries. Bayou Kitchen wins in both...perfect dark roast coffee. Homefries grilled for a long time, for that perfect crunchy exterior and soft center. I once had the huevos racheros three times in the same weekend. Get them with eggs over easy and the black beans. Heaven...
(5)Beau C.
I saw this and was skeptical (I'm from Louisiana), so I had to try it. Pleasantly surprised with the red beans, glad to have grits (put salt, pepper and butter in it, then crumble your bacon in it and you are set!). Although the red beans had shredded beef and we do it with tasso ham chunks, it was flavorful and good. The crawfish and andouille and cheddar scramble was really yummy and filling. I would definitely recommend the place. I'll have to try the jambalaya or gumbo next time...
(4)Kristal K.
My favorite breakfast spot! The place is cozy and colorful, the staff is friendly, the food is fantastic and arrives quickly, and they always play music I enjoy. I love the red beans and rice, the selection of cornbread and the grits. The El Rancho Verde omelet is one of my favorites, plus all the specials I have tried have been just great.
(5)Shanna W.
It was the first visit for my group of friends at this establishment. We had the meat homie plate, a jambalaya dish and a smokin' caterpillar. The biggest raves = jalapeño cheddar cornbread. The other dishes were good, but the taste popped when adding the...comeaux sauce, a spicy/sweet condiment. Service was friendly, to get you in and out quickly and efficiently. Bright atmosphere. It's a smaller space that seems to get a lot of business and would benefit by revisiting how their seating is utilized to reduce the seating time, since there's no place to stay inside, and say, have a drink while you're waiting. That however is just a personal preference. They do invite you to browse the nearby businesses and call you when your table is ready
(4)Xiaoshan Z.
Perfect food! Maybe I've been here too long to be picky... But the food there was the best southern food I had for months... Small, family-owned cozy place with friendly people; you can see them cooking behind the counter. And they serve the best hash browns ever!!!!
(5)Rob K.
This is a place you go to before you take a shower. I turned into a greasy, red-faced Scotsman after breakfast here. Although I have never been to Louisiana, I imagine this greasy spoon accurately portrays a cafe down south. It's like eating in grandma's kitchen, except it's missing the plume of cigarette smoke. I enjoyed sitting at the counter, next to the Cajun cook-off trophies. At the counter you can get a feel for the whole operation that happens right before your eyes, from the dishwasher, to the home fries sizzling on the portable griddle, to the grill master, to the chili stirrer. The staff is friendly and the food is affordable. Everything on the menu is under $10. Bayou is popular with the locals and distanced away from the Old Port. Excellent variety on the menu, with all that bayou charm and spice. Only open for breakfast and lunch. So many things that I didn't get a chance to try: Classic Jambalaya Chicken Piquant Chicken and Sausage Gumbo Scramble with crawfish, andouille, jalapenos, and cheddar My mouth is watering. I'll be back.
(4)Brian R.
I first visited the Bayou Kitchen two months ago on a Sunday morning with my mother-in-law. She had been previously and gave this place nothing but high marks. She was right. The food was incredible and the wait-staff was so friendly. I accidentally ordered the wrong menu item and the staff there was so friendly to re-fire my meal - they insisted I have the meal I came for. Portland is a cool place, with many local restaurants to choose from. The Bayou Kitchen is one of the best restaurants in Portland. I'm proud to have these folks in my community!
(5)Liam S.
First visiting this place. It seemed to take a while to get service, but after we ordered the food came very quickly. For brunch it was good. Doesn't seem like a good place to bring kids. Bathroom was clean.
(3)Gary B.
Best home fries in the city in my book , love the assortment of hot sauce you can choose from on your own . ..Oh and thanks for the larger water glasses (The little things that make a big difference )
(5)Stephen C.
The chicken gumbo is 5-star! The pancakes were quite average though.
(4)Mike T.
This place is a real "hole-in-the-wall. There are, maybe eight tables: three or four two-seaters and two or three four, five or (if you're friends) six-seaters. There is counter space, but be forewarned: it's two steps up to the stool. If you're on the short side, your feet will dangle. More importantly, when you leave, if you don't remember it exists, missing that second step guarantees your departure will be noticed by all. There is usually a crowd waiting outside, which on a cold winter morning can be a lot of fun. But the wait is well worth it. Where else can you get a taste - and a good-sized taste - of New Orleans while lounging in Maine's largest city? The food is very, very tasty, Doesn't matter what you order. It's just downright good. Me? I'm a crawdad, jalapeno man, so I go straight for the Cajun Omelete. My wife enjoys the hash dish. Either one is savory, and all dishes come with grits, or beans or fries and toast. Cornbread, either plain or peppered with jalepenos is a big half-buck extra. Can't beat that with a stick. This is an early-morning place, so figure on being there no later than Noon. Earlier is better. Sit down, order, and enjoy.
(4)Dean F.
The man at the front desk in long dark hair was so rude to us we will never go back. Told him it was our first time there. Didn't seem to mean anything to him. If you're in the restaurant business at the front end talking with customers you need to be inviting. Not a rude jerk.
(1)Steve T.
First visit today. Most excellent! We had a mud bug omelette and a Cajun scramble with grits, home fries and corn bread. All were great. The place seats 24 including 8 at the counter. There was a short wait to get inside. The pancakes and French toast looked excellent as well. The chef did a whole lot with a 40" griddle. The owner told us they were going to close for three weeks to expand rearward and make more space. I will surely return for more.
(5)Deanna D.
The Bayou Kitchen has a great breakfast menu. Its puts a Creole touch on the typical menu. My bf had the corned beef hash omelet with black beans and rice and cornbread which he really enjoyed. I had the mud-pie omelet which was a craw-fish and Cheddar omelet topped with tomato salsa and served with veg. black bean and rice and jalapenos cornbread. That was also super tasty. The craw-fish was well cooked and the dish was well seasoned. The crowd and vibe in restaurant was definitely laid back and everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves. The restaurant has lots of character and the service was great. We would come back for breakfast again!
(3)Michael P.
Brunch was really fast and easy. The environment is cozy and small. Warning if you have a party of 7 or more you would have to be seated separate.
(4)Regina J.
We ended our stay in Portland with breakfast at Bayou Kitchen. Had the cajun scramble which was to die for - andouille, crawfish, jalapenos and cheese in a huge omelette complete with homefries and blueberry cornbread. Breakfast is my favorite meal of the day, and that morning I'd felt as if I'd died and gone to omelette heaven. My partner got the cajun red beans with rice, and that too was soooo good! Our server was very friendly and attentive, and there was a sweet, homey ambiance that I now miss. Can't wait to go back to Portland to stuff my face again!
(5)Jenny M.
After having avoided this place over the last several years due to bad service, we decided to give it another go. We used to love it years ago when the two ladies owned it, but when they sold it went down hill. We had not been in since they expanded and we assumed it's under new ownership. Unfortunately, we received awful service once again. The place was somewhat busy, so we were okay with waiting 10 minutes or so to order, esp. since the waitress said it would be a few minutes before she could make it over for our order. After about 20 minutes of waiting, I politely said to the waitress as she walked past "We are ready to order". She once again said "I'll take your order as soon as I get a chance". She then proceeded to clear off a 2 top nearby even though nobody was waiting to sit there. At this point, my friend said to me "Let's get out of here". I was pretty speechless that clearing off a table was more important than a paying customer and agreed to leave. Suddenly, a man who I think was the owner flew over to our table and asked us what we would like to order. So, we decided just to order at that point. I thought the scrambled eggs and corn bread I got was fine. My friend was disappointed in the tiny half of an andouille sausage he received (they used to give you an entire sausage, he said, and for cheaper) and his rice and beans were half cold. Despite all this, I would probably go back if it weren't for the flippant service we received. Never did anyone say "Sorry for the wait, guys" and that would've make a huge difference. We just got the impression our patronage was a big pain in the rear to them. We live in Portland and eat out very often and this place is once again on our "No go" list.
(1)Lars F.
Seems like a local joint, but when I told the staff I found them on Yelp they said a lot of people have found them through Yelp as well. Anyway, it was a short wait to get in on a Sunday morning, but worth it. The place is very small, but it seems like authentic food. The staff is friendly and so are the prices. If a clean floor is not your thing, then this place is not for you, but if you like good food and a nice staff, this is it!
(4)Bud P.
Best breakfast spot outside of the old port
(5)Ginny P.
My favorite breakfast place in portland. Corn bread with blueberries, great omelets and hash.
(5)Liz H.
After brunch here this morning, The Bayou Kitchen will be added to my list of delicious, unpretentious Portland breakfast spots worth frequenting. I had eggs over easy with red beans and rice and cornbread, as well as the bottomless cup of coffee. Cornbread was great, red beans and rice (with pulled pork, yum!) were superlative. More importantly, there were about a dozen things on the menu I was eager to try. And the trivial pursuit cards made for a fun activity. I will most certainly return, hopefully soon.
(4)Unkl- T.
Great breakfast spot. Short wait on a Sunday
(4)Michael P.
My favorite breakfast place in Portland. Good spicy food that is unlike that of any other restaurant in Portland.
(5)Kelley K.
It's small, but packs a big punch! My first attempt at this cajun diner was New Year's Day. Alas, Bayou Kitchen, and most of Portland, was closed. But this weekend presented another opportunity. The gods were clearly with us this time. We found parking on the street right in front of the place, and there were two empty stools calling our names. The menu is small, but everything sounded tempting. Do I go with an egg sandwich with andouille? Gumbo? an omelette? pancakes? In the end I opted for home made hash with an egg and corn bread. My options for corn bread were plain, blueberry or cheese and jalapeno. Oh, or toast. Regular, but un-boring, grilled cornbread was for me. My companion is not a breakfast guy, so he opted for the other side of the menu. Jambalaya. And wow, it was spicy. But not just that, it was also very complex in flavor. It tasted like black pepper, red pepper and fresh peppers all developed into a smoky, deep bowl of warm goodness. I supposed Bayou Kitchen would not be great for a large group of people, or people who prefer chain restaurants. But if you want real cooking, authentic flavors and character, check this out.
(5)Matthew M.
The Bayou Kitchen is a motherf%$*ing bad-ass place to eat. Mark it, dude. This is the place for breakfast. Good folks, good prices, great eggs. For once I am just going to keep it short and sweet.
(5)Charlie K.
Went here again. I'm pretty sure the food was good, but everybody was so unfriendly it made it taste bad and I don't want to go back again. Maybe they had a rough week -- I got the feeling there might have been some staffing changes or something. But the way the server yelled at us made me anxious and unable to relax.
(2)Sam A.
Had the breakfast special which consisted of jalapeno cornbread top with a poached egg,sausage links, and hollandaise sauce. The food was overall just ok.
(3)N K.
Wow, this was a great find. Spent the weekend in Portland and we had the Bayou on our to do list and so glad we went. Small place so be prepared to wait. We went on a Sunday morning at 9:30 and told it would be a 30 minute wait for a table for 4. They were ready for us in in 20. Great wait staff and fun menu. We had the corned beed hash omlette, eggs over hash, 3 sausage with eggs and huevos. Silence at our table as we enjoyed every bite. Check out the 3 or 4 types of cornbread and wall of hot sauces that you can sample with your dish. Better than Becky's and the Porthole and worth the wait.
(5)Jacquelyn A.
I'm a southern girl who loves her grits! This is my favorite brunch place in Portland and I love to bring friends from out of town. There is always a wait on weekends, but now that they have expanded, it's not too bad. I definitely recommend the meat homie plate.
(4)Lindsay P.
Excellent breakfast. Banana bread French toast is nothing short of amazing!
(4)Alika Marie W.
This is breakfast worth finding in Portland. A charming little place with mismatched tables and a high counter looking at the kitchen. i love their corned beef hash, Mmm mmm. The staff is always courteous and efficient, ready with the coffee refills.
(4)s w.
Tasty food, friendly service, and good prices. Our family definitely recommends! Hash was great. Cajun Scramble omelet was great. Delicious jalapeno cornbread. Pecan pancakes - yum! We'll be back next time we're in Portland!
(5)Becky M.
Ah! So excited I found the Bayou kitchen as a decent brunch on a Saturday in Portland is not too easy to come by without a huge wait. It's a bit out of the way but worth it. Diner-esque atmosphere with a crocodile on the wall. Neat. Kitchen is open to the bar area and I think that always adds some charm. Staff was extremely friendly and service was quick. For breakfast we had iced tea and coffee (good coffee), the gator eggs with mushrooms, swiss cheese and scallions, came with a home made biscuit and really good home fries (they were basically just roasted red potatoes), I got a coffee pancake which tastes like actual coffee was used as the liquid in the batter, not coffee-cake style, real maple syrup to go with, the huevos rancheros with perfectly cooked over easy eggs and black bean chili and a side of jalapeño cheddar cornbread to go with. I loved it all. I loved that there were so many options for vegetarians. I loved all the hot sauces to choose from. For $30 total, a really good deal. We were so stuffed. The only downside was no benedicts! But even so, the menu was exciting and I can't wait to go back for more.
(5)Tony W.
I love this place, and it's often the first place I think of when I'm seeking out brunch options on a weekend. If you like a bit of spice in your breakfast food, then you should to. All food + cajun spices = amazing, but that's just my own opinion. Top 5 reasons to like this place: 1. Service. They're always incredibly friendly. Despite how slammed they can get on a weekend, they've always greeted me with patience and a smile. 2. Portions. Most of the dishes I've ordered have come with home fries/grits and biscuit/flavored corn bread. So many breakfast combinations, it's like a Choose You're Own Adventure book where you always win in the end. And feel stuffed. 3. Sugar water. This is the first place I've encountered that gives you sugar water to put into your iced coffee instead of granulated sugar. So the sugar actually dissolves and you're not stuck with a syrupy mess at the bottom of your glass. 4. Chili in omelets. I fell in love with this combination in New Orleans, and now I relive it every time I stop in to the BC. Chili and eggs is a delicious match, and I implore you to just try it if you are making a weird disgusted scowl-face as you read this. 5. Spice. This place takes everything you love about breakfast and kicks it up a notch with their special herbs and spices. And the myriad of hot sauces lingering on each table. What's not to love? Well, two things, but it won't impact my rating: 1. During the summer, it's always 150 degrees hotter in the restaurant than outside. The ventilation is a bit poor, and there's no air conditioning that I know of. 2. The outside wait. During their peak busy times, you'll need to wait outside the restaurant to be seated. During the 90% of the time when Maine is covered with snow, ice, sleet, mud, rain, etc, that can be a bit problematic. Thankfully you can grab a coffee at Dunkin Donuts or Big Sky - both next door - while you wait, as they'll take your number and give you a call when your table is ready. - - Cajun food
(5)Rose L.
Steve A. has been telling me for the past three years about The Bayou Kitchen as drool drips down his cheek, remember the flavors! Let me tell you, it did not disappoint. The small restaurant brings you not only the N'rleans atmosphere but all the bayou food as well. Arriving on a Thursday morning during breakfast, we sat at the bar and received top notch service. Bar service includes view of the kitchen where we chatted with the chefs as they prepared our meals. Along with coffee and an iced tea (perfectly prepared) we ordered a short stack of custom blueberry pancakes with real Maine syrup ($1.75 up charge) and the el verde omelet. I have to preface this review with the fact that Steve A. considers himself somewhat of an omelet chef genius, so the fact that he ordered an omelet is HUGE!! The short stack of pancakes (two large ones!) were incredible: fluffy, sweet with tons of fresh blueberry sprinkled in. And God that omelet... Black beans, cheese, and all things right. It's topped with the most delicious fresh salsa verde that they sell at the store for $7 a bottle. The omelet was served with choice of bread-- get the corn bread!--and potatoes. We got the home fire potatoes, which are chunks of potatoes covered in cajun seasoning. I heard the potatoes have changed over the years and aren't are crispy and tasty as the old version, but they still tasted good to me. The whole experience from the open kitchen to the service to food and did I forget to mention the HOT SAUCE COLLECTION?! Was delicious! A definite must visit.
(5)Meli L.
It was difficult for me to decide how to rate this -- first time I visited (on a Saturday), we got their early and there were plenty of tables, service was speedy. This past Saturday we went again, this time later, around 10 and the service was painfully slow. We got our water quickly upon sitting down then our waitress was MIA - walked by our table a number of time without even glancing in our direction. Both times, the food has been good - this past trip I had the Red Eye which was BBQ polish sausage, 2 spicy eggs (any style), plus toast + side of your choice - I highly recommend getting the eggs poached, they were delish. I was kind of surprised I only got one link of sausage (albeit it is all I would eat, but I imagine others would want more). Both times we got 1 custom pancake- banana and chocolate chip and my boyfriend deemed it one of his favorite dishes in Portland right now!
(4)Clint B.
I was very impressed with this place. The staff was super friendly and the food could not be beat. I got a Bayou scramble that was pretty spot on. I also had a few side options (and I'm tempted to come back just to try the other sides). I ended up going with beans & rice and cornbread; my mouth was in southern heaven. I also tried this place solo, and the staff did their best to socialize with me. Everyone was so darn nice. And there were like 3 different hot sauces to choose from; all of them were amazing. I recommend coming here. I wish the hours were longer and I wish there was more seating (there can be a wait on weekends), but otherwise, this is one pretty fantastic place.
(5)Shelley H.
Follow your nose! NOLA on Deering@Forest! Small cantina atmosphere, simple menu, fantastic authentic eats. Eggs, rice beans, and some excellent entree selections. Weekend brunch is mobbed, best bet is weekday late am. Decent prices. No chicory coffee or beignet but ya can't have it all I guess :)
(5)Eric T.
It's a little "hole in the wall" creole place. It is off the beaten path. It is kitschy, and I really wanted to love it, but the food fell a bit short for us. The eggs themselves were delicious, but the storied hash was dry and bland. The potential of yummy cornbread was not realized with the dry, crumbly cornbread we received. The service was good. It was quite hot inside. Our bill was about $23, and I feel that it was about $10 too much. A place like this should either have absolute knock your socks off food, or great interior (including AC), or rock bottom prices. But you really can't serve sub par items, is an "eclectic" environment without AC, at white table cloths prices. Try for yourselves, but beware...
(2)Hailey H.
The windows say "do you bayou?" ... Yes, yes we do. My opinion on bayou is formed solely on breakfast. When we're sitting at home on the couch thinking "man, a bagel just isn't going to do it today. We need a plate full of goodness in order for this to be an okay day..." Our decision is easy, we go to Bayou Kitchen. He gets the meat homie, I get the veggie homie. SIDE OF SALSA BECAUSE THEIR SALSA IS THE SALSA. Side of jalapeño corn bread. Put Canceaux sauce on the homies. Dive in. What's not to love about a place that has an entire wall filled with hot sauces? There is almost always a wait but that's how you know it's good! It's small place, and they are good about keeping track of who has been waiting. Plus you can always sit at the bar seating and watch the symphony that is their kitchen.
(4)Claudio C.
Great combination of funky diner meets serious Cajun favorites. The place is small, so you can have a wait...and the service occasionally can be touch and go....but the food is very good with authentic creole accents. I've had the shrimp with grits and over easy eggs....I added a side of andouille sausage....excellent....lots of shrimp...the grits are great texture and spiced...the slight runny yoke.....just excellent The crawfish omelet was oversized, fluffy, and delicious I loved the red beans and rice....and I've tried the Cajun omelette....all good I wish they had a liquor license.....as this is a great brunch spot....and you just need a craft cocktail with brunch. Parking on Deering is hit or miss.
(4)Jim B.
Portland has so much to rave about. Of course, there are restaurants galore. In fact, it seems like a new eatery opens weekly. With all the new places and reviewers raving about the best restaurant in town for _______, it's easy to forget those places that were there before outsiders discovered the city and it's wealth of food options. On this particular Saturday, one of my best friends from high school were planning to grab breakfast and then hit the WMPG record sale (vinyl baby!). I suggested one of the trendy places on Congress. We were looking at a 30-45 minute wait. That's the norm in Portland, but we decided we'd somehow beat the system on this one. We opted to try a couple of other places we both knew of off Forest Ave. We probably would have been seated at the first place if we'd waited, by the time we weathered a 25-minute wait at The Bayou Kitchen. That was fine--we got to talk politics, music, beer, and life. I haven't been to Bayou Kitchen in ages. I knew they were solid from previous visits pre-Yelp. Like I said, they've been around for awhile. There's a definite Cajun theme going on here. Grits (yay!!) were on the menu, as were red beans and rice--not a common occurrence, even in Portland, Food City USA. Here's what my usual experience is in Portland and just about every other place where I'm eating at a place that's crazy busy, with a harried hostess trying to keep track of the waiting list, cooks cranking out breakfasts for hungry diners, and waitresses and staff trying to turn over tables--I'm made to feel like I'm intruding on their day and even, they are downright pissy. Bayou Kitchen was the polar opposite--the guy who took our order actually sat down in the empty chair. My friend and I placed our orders. "Yeah--we'll get that out, no problem. Hey, do you want some ice water with your coffee?" Sure! Our breakfasts were great. Solid, hearty food, with that C-word again--Cajun orientation. Well, actually, I had their terrific hash, with eggs over easy--not exactly a Cajun staple--but I did go with grits as my side and my friend had the red beans and rice. Oh, and we split a huge plate of home fries, fresh off the griddle. Our coffees got refilled several times. We weren't rushed, but were in and out and 45 minutes and off to browse for records. Glad we decided to hit an older breakfast staple in town. The Bayou Kitchen definitely delivered.
(4)Adam M.
This place is awesome! I've been on the road on tour for 11 days all throughout the East Coast and stopped here En Route to a Festival in Maine. By far the best food we've eaten on the tour so far. Get the Tri-Sausage Omelet and cornbread. Killing!!
(5)P L.
What a delicious discovery! After a tiring long weekend of fantastic food and cheer in the Old Port, this little place ended it on a high note. We sat at the counter, right in front of the cook, and we ordered their spicy scrambled eggs with andouille sausage, and a breakfast tortilla with black bean chili (huevos something or other) to share .. both had tasty cajun home fries on the side. We also had a couple bottomless coffees and an OJ and walked away feeling supremely satisfied, but not greasy, with a $25 bill (including decent tip). Bargain. Next time I'll be brave and do a crawfish omelet.
(5)Michelle D.
The spicier, the better & the veggie jambalaya didn't disappoint. Fckng awesome!
(5)Jeffrey F.
We went again. Still great and consistent as always!
(4)Sarah C.
I was hungover, and Bayou Kitchen was the cure. Grits and biscuits, eggs and taters. Good coffee, quick service. Always a good time at BK.
(4)Jamie B.
Most underrated restaurant anywhere in my opinion. My wife and I travel here twice a year from Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada . . . It is that great. How this place has never been on a couple of certain food programs, is beyond me. Hell it seems none of our friends who live in the area have heard of it. Oh well, there loss.
(5)Christina L.
One of my fav spots to eat in Portland. Although it is almost always a wait on the wkends (the place is very small) it is well worth the wait. The cajun spiced homefries are the reason I drag myself out of bed and get to the Bayou Kitchen. The service is prompt and the food always comes out hot. Great place to get some breakfast food that is a little out of the ordinary eggs and toast. Cajun spices, crawfish, blackbeans, and cornbread add pizazz to brunch :)
(5)Fred S.
As a Woodfords neighborhood staple, The Bayou Kitchen has had its ups and downs. Over the last couple years, the whole operation runs better than ever! It is a small place with a set number of staff, but the food is excellent and the price is right! If you go on a weekday morning you won't have to wait, but on the weekends it can be 10-15 minutes. If I have to wait I usually go get a loaf of bread at the bakery across the street, in the old firehouse!
(4)Sarah G.
Wow, I don't know how I missed reviewing this place. I was probably still in shock from the best breakfast ever. Service was rushed, but that's because the place is small and everyone was probably as anxious to get their food as we were. Jalapeno corn bread is great, black beans were awe inspiring. I tried to re-create this breakfast for months afterwards. Husband had eggs and red beans and rice and was likewise awed. If you like spice and/or cajun flavors, this is your place. We've often talked about just driving up for breakfast and driving back down, but we're usually too hungry in the morning to imagine a two hour drive to food. Soon, though, soon.
(5)Becky M.
Ah! So excited I found the Bayou kitchen as a decent brunch on a Saturday in Portland is not too easy to come by without a huge wait. It's a bit out of the way but worth it. Diner-esque atmosphere with a crocodile on the wall. Neat. Kitchen is open to the bar area and I think that always adds some charm. Staff was extremely friendly and service was quick. For breakfast we had iced tea and coffee (good coffee), the gator eggs with mushrooms, swiss cheese and scallions, came with a home made biscuit and really good home fries (they were basically just roasted red potatoes), I got a coffee pancake which tastes like actual coffee was used as the liquid in the batter, not coffee-cake style, real maple syrup to go with, the huevos rancheros with perfectly cooked over easy eggs and black bean chili and a side of jalapeño cheddar cornbread to go with. I loved it all. I loved that there were so many options for vegetarians. I loved all the hot sauces to choose from. For $30 total, a really good deal. We were so stuffed. The only downside was no benedicts! But even so, the menu was exciting and I can't wait to go back for more.
(5)Tony W.
I love this place, and it's often the first place I think of when I'm seeking out brunch options on a weekend. If you like a bit of spice in your breakfast food, then you should to. All food + cajun spices = amazing, but that's just my own opinion. Top 5 reasons to like this place: 1. Service. They're always incredibly friendly. Despite how slammed they can get on a weekend, they've always greeted me with patience and a smile. 2. Portions. Most of the dishes I've ordered have come with home fries/grits and biscuit/flavored corn bread. So many breakfast combinations, it's like a Choose You're Own Adventure book where you always win in the end. And feel stuffed. 3. Sugar water. This is the first place I've encountered that gives you sugar water to put into your iced coffee instead of granulated sugar. So the sugar actually dissolves and you're not stuck with a syrupy mess at the bottom of your glass. 4. Chili in omelets. I fell in love with this combination in New Orleans, and now I relive it every time I stop in to the BC. Chili and eggs is a delicious match, and I implore you to just try it if you are making a weird disgusted scowl-face as you read this. 5. Spice. This place takes everything you love about breakfast and kicks it up a notch with their special herbs and spices. And the myriad of hot sauces lingering on each table. What's not to love? Well, two things, but it won't impact my rating: 1. During the summer, it's always 150 degrees hotter in the restaurant than outside. The ventilation is a bit poor, and there's no air conditioning that I know of. 2. The outside wait. During their peak busy times, you'll need to wait outside the restaurant to be seated. During the 90% of the time when Maine is covered with snow, ice, sleet, mud, rain, etc, that can be a bit problematic. Thankfully you can grab a coffee at Dunkin Donuts or Big Sky - both next door - while you wait, as they'll take your number and give you a call when your table is ready. - - Cajun food
(5)Rose L.
Steve A. has been telling me for the past three years about The Bayou Kitchen as drool drips down his cheek, remember the flavors! Let me tell you, it did not disappoint. The small restaurant brings you not only the N'rleans atmosphere but all the bayou food as well. Arriving on a Thursday morning during breakfast, we sat at the bar and received top notch service. Bar service includes view of the kitchen where we chatted with the chefs as they prepared our meals. Along with coffee and an iced tea (perfectly prepared) we ordered a short stack of custom blueberry pancakes with real Maine syrup ($1.75 up charge) and the el verde omelet. I have to preface this review with the fact that Steve A. considers himself somewhat of an omelet chef genius, so the fact that he ordered an omelet is HUGE!! The short stack of pancakes (two large ones!) were incredible: fluffy, sweet with tons of fresh blueberry sprinkled in. And God that omelet... Black beans, cheese, and all things right. It's topped with the most delicious fresh salsa verde that they sell at the store for $7 a bottle. The omelet was served with choice of bread-- get the corn bread!--and potatoes. We got the home fire potatoes, which are chunks of potatoes covered in cajun seasoning. I heard the potatoes have changed over the years and aren't are crispy and tasty as the old version, but they still tasted good to me. The whole experience from the open kitchen to the service to food and did I forget to mention the HOT SAUCE COLLECTION?! Was delicious! A definite must visit.
(5)Meli L.
It was difficult for me to decide how to rate this -- first time I visited (on a Saturday), we got their early and there were plenty of tables, service was speedy. This past Saturday we went again, this time later, around 10 and the service was painfully slow. We got our water quickly upon sitting down then our waitress was MIA - walked by our table a number of time without even glancing in our direction. Both times, the food has been good - this past trip I had the Red Eye which was BBQ polish sausage, 2 spicy eggs (any style), plus toast + side of your choice - I highly recommend getting the eggs poached, they were delish. I was kind of surprised I only got one link of sausage (albeit it is all I would eat, but I imagine others would want more). Both times we got 1 custom pancake- banana and chocolate chip and my boyfriend deemed it one of his favorite dishes in Portland right now!
(4)Clint B.
I was very impressed with this place. The staff was super friendly and the food could not be beat. I got a Bayou scramble that was pretty spot on. I also had a few side options (and I'm tempted to come back just to try the other sides). I ended up going with beans & rice and cornbread; my mouth was in southern heaven. I also tried this place solo, and the staff did their best to socialize with me. Everyone was so darn nice. And there were like 3 different hot sauces to choose from; all of them were amazing. I recommend coming here. I wish the hours were longer and I wish there was more seating (there can be a wait on weekends), but otherwise, this is one pretty fantastic place.
(5)Shelley H.
Follow your nose! NOLA on Deering@Forest! Small cantina atmosphere, simple menu, fantastic authentic eats. Eggs, rice beans, and some excellent entree selections. Weekend brunch is mobbed, best bet is weekday late am. Decent prices. No chicory coffee or beignet but ya can't have it all I guess :)
(5)Eric T.
It's a little "hole in the wall" creole place. It is off the beaten path. It is kitschy, and I really wanted to love it, but the food fell a bit short for us. The eggs themselves were delicious, but the storied hash was dry and bland. The potential of yummy cornbread was not realized with the dry, crumbly cornbread we received. The service was good. It was quite hot inside. Our bill was about $23, and I feel that it was about $10 too much. A place like this should either have absolute knock your socks off food, or great interior (including AC), or rock bottom prices. But you really can't serve sub par items, is an "eclectic" environment without AC, at white table cloths prices. Try for yourselves, but beware...
(2)Hailey H.
The windows say "do you bayou?" ... Yes, yes we do. My opinion on bayou is formed solely on breakfast. When we're sitting at home on the couch thinking "man, a bagel just isn't going to do it today. We need a plate full of goodness in order for this to be an okay day..." Our decision is easy, we go to Bayou Kitchen. He gets the meat homie, I get the veggie homie. SIDE OF SALSA BECAUSE THEIR SALSA IS THE SALSA. Side of jalapeño corn bread. Put Canceaux sauce on the homies. Dive in. What's not to love about a place that has an entire wall filled with hot sauces? There is almost always a wait but that's how you know it's good! It's small place, and they are good about keeping track of who has been waiting. Plus you can always sit at the bar seating and watch the symphony that is their kitchen.
(4)Claudio C.
Great combination of funky diner meets serious Cajun favorites. The place is small, so you can have a wait...and the service occasionally can be touch and go....but the food is very good with authentic creole accents. I've had the shrimp with grits and over easy eggs....I added a side of andouille sausage....excellent....lots of shrimp...the grits are great texture and spiced...the slight runny yoke.....just excellent The crawfish omelet was oversized, fluffy, and delicious I loved the red beans and rice....and I've tried the Cajun omelette....all good I wish they had a liquor license.....as this is a great brunch spot....and you just need a craft cocktail with brunch. Parking on Deering is hit or miss.
(4)Yevgeniy B.
Average food with horrific service. They lied about the wait time 3 times, our original wait time went from 15 to 50 minutes. We were told we were next on the list only to watch 3 parties of similiar size get seated first. While it was cold outside we were also told to wait outside because of a fire code violation, they weren't as consistent with everyone when it comes to this policy. The waiter had a fake southern accent and the waitress couldn't even count to 10. Food was okay and I would come back if not for the terrible service.
(1)Jim B.
Portland has so much to rave about. Of course, there are restaurants galore. In fact, it seems like a new eatery opens weekly. With all the new places and reviewers raving about the best restaurant in town for _______, it's easy to forget those places that were there before outsiders discovered the city and it's wealth of food options. On this particular Saturday, one of my best friends from high school were planning to grab breakfast and then hit the WMPG record sale (vinyl baby!). I suggested one of the trendy places on Congress. We were looking at a 30-45 minute wait. That's the norm in Portland, but we decided we'd somehow beat the system on this one. We opted to try a couple of other places we both knew of off Forest Ave. We probably would have been seated at the first place if we'd waited, by the time we weathered a 25-minute wait at The Bayou Kitchen. That was fine--we got to talk politics, music, beer, and life. I haven't been to Bayou Kitchen in ages. I knew they were solid from previous visits pre-Yelp. Like I said, they've been around for awhile. There's a definite Cajun theme going on here. Grits (yay!!) were on the menu, as were red beans and rice--not a common occurrence, even in Portland, Food City USA. Here's what my usual experience is in Portland and just about every other place where I'm eating at a place that's crazy busy, with a harried hostess trying to keep track of the waiting list, cooks cranking out breakfasts for hungry diners, and waitresses and staff trying to turn over tables--I'm made to feel like I'm intruding on their day and even, they are downright pissy. Bayou Kitchen was the polar opposite--the guy who took our order actually sat down in the empty chair. My friend and I placed our orders. "Yeah--we'll get that out, no problem. Hey, do you want some ice water with your coffee?" Sure! Our breakfasts were great. Solid, hearty food, with that C-word again--Cajun orientation. Well, actually, I had their terrific hash, with eggs over easy--not exactly a Cajun staple--but I did go with grits as my side and my friend had the red beans and rice. Oh, and we split a huge plate of home fries, fresh off the griddle. Our coffees got refilled several times. We weren't rushed, but were in and out and 45 minutes and off to browse for records. Glad we decided to hit an older breakfast staple in town. The Bayou Kitchen definitely delivered.
(4)Jason P.
I love this place, I always go for breakfast, I'm sure lunch is great as well. I recommend the rancheros or the home made corn beef hash. Jalapeño cornbread as well!
(5)Sam B.
Alligator on the menu and a feisty Creole server are the stuff that five stars are made of but I'm happy to get an Acadian waitress and a great breakfast any day. Though Bayou Kitchen doesn't have real gator, it's still a colorful, delicious place to get a hearty helping of breakfasty goodness. I had the Gator Eggs (cheese, onion, jalapeno - no gator) with homies and can't even think about lunch three hours later, that's how filling it was. I have to admit, the home fries ("Homies") were pretty close to perfect.
(3)Emily L.
I loved the jalepino cornbread. I got this spicy soup that was amazing! I'll absolutely go back. Tiny little hole in the wall I never would have though walking in that I would like it so much. The staff was very friendly and you could see them cooking which was kinda cool.
(4)Greg J.
I've never met Tom Cruise. I'd really like to. He starred in Top Gun, my favorite movie, plus he seems really nice. I'm ok with not meeting him though. If it happens, it happens. I'm not going to live a life of regret over it or anything. One thing I most certainly would regret however, for eternity and beyond, is never having gone to The Bayou Kitchen. I've been going there for years and years and I've only ever ordered one thing. The first thing I got. I've tried bites of other people's orders, not strangers but the people I'm with, and it's all been fine. Delicious actually. Let me tell you something though. Listen up and listen good. It's all about them Juevos Rancheros. It's always been about them. Everything. I just didn't know it. I will cut you for some. No problem. It's not the traditional preparation. Far from it actually. Basically they take a cheese quesadilla, cover that gem in either delicious bean or beef chili, then two eggs cooked to your choosing and finally top it all of with a big, fat guy dream portion dollop of delicious, like affirming sour cream. Squirt some of the Lost Woods hot sauce on that feed pile and you're really in business. And trust me folks, business is good. You feel like chairman of the board laying tooth to that thing. I'm pretty sure it comes with home fries but they're inconsequential. Like the sucker fish on a shark. Be advised the portions ain't small. This is definitely what I refer to as a "plan breaker." You're not putting this beauty down and going hiking. That would turn sour but quick. And if you do eat this and then go hiking take it over to New Hampshire where that sort of behavior is acceptable because those people have no decency. My recommended post Bayou Rancheros activity is what the young kids call a nap. It's well worth clearing your schedule for though. It really is that good. A game changer. Makes me give this place five stars even with that "coffee" they serve. My aunt's second husband says they serve the same brand in prison.
(5)Lina F.
This place is all right but nothing beats Marcy's diner! Our breakfast omelettes had a bayou twist but nothing amazing.
(3)Flora F.
This place is worth it on off-hours when it's empty. The food is good, a reasonably-priced traditional breakfast with extra Cajun spice. The hom(e fr)ie(s) plates and the ginger pancakes are especially reliable. Contrary to received ideas about Southern hospitality, though, service can be brusque to rude. If the place is full, keep on walking. They feel no need to be courteous when the tables are full and they're not too shy to show it.
(3)Sheila D.
I actually really liked the food here. Got the omelette and asked to replace the sides and toast with fresh fruit. The waitress told me that she could "make it work" and then charged me full price for the fruit cup. I just couldn't believe that I was charged almost an extra $4 for fruit that I probably wouldn't have gotten if I had known that information. Other than that aspect, I thought this was a pretty fun breakfast place. Limited seating though, so try to come early... And parking is very difficult to find, so you may have to park in some lots for shops nearby. If you come, hopefully you have a better experience with the servers than I had.
(3)Ben S.
One part traditional diner food, one part authentic cajun food, all parts delicious. My first bite of their gumbo had me do that thing where you stare off into space, wide-eyed, unable to process just how good the thing was that you just ate. Do you know that thing that people do? I do it, I don't know if you do it. The point is, I did it, and that's a big deal to me. The gumbo is gat'dang perfect. Everything I've had at Bayou Kitchen has been a delight, and I've made it my mission to return and systematically get everything else on the menu. A word of caution, though: Their hours often go til "two-ish," (their words, not mine) and you need to realize that that's not just them being cute. We were craving cajun for lunch, and thought we'd make it at 1:30, to find that, nope, show's over. Will this hard learned lesson deter me from subsequent visits? Hail naw!
(5)Chang T.
This place is right around the corner from me and is always hopping! So I finally had a chance to try it today and was NOT disappointed. I got a seat right at the bar. The service was kinda rough throughout most of the meal (hence the 4 star review). Apparently it was a new waitress who was clearly in the weeds (industry slang for behind on her orders and tables and service to guests). It took maybe 20 minutes to get my order taken and an iced coffee. Then the food was out in under ten minutes and my god was it good! The scrambled eggs were the best I've ever had. The dirty beans & rice were incredibly spicy and savory without killing my mouth. And the blueberry pancakes have officially knocked The Front Room out of first place. Amazing! All in all I loved it and HIGHLY recommend it. I'm bringing my homie there next week to dine, in fact. Be prepared for a wait unless you go in early. But it will be totally worth it!
(4)Rich H.
Great place! Wide selection of bk options. Shelf of fire in corner features a variety of Hot sauces. Had polish sausage w onions provolone roasted red peppahs w side o beans y rice (spicy) and jalapeno corn bread. Friendly service! A must try for breakfast while in Portland!
(4)Brian W.
I am a huge fan of the Bayou Kitchen! It is a funky and friendly place that gets so many things right. They have a great everyday menu that runs from breakfast standard (eggs & bacon) to adventurous (Cajun Scramble). They also always have a handful of specials. Great mix of sweet and savory choices that are unique without feeling forced or gimmicky --The flavor comes first! Everything is always fresh and always made with the the love. My girlfriend and I are breakfast fiends and we have come up with a few tried and true tests of a breakfast place and BK nails them all. They are.... - Yellow Omelets - Nothing worse than a leathery brown omelet. BK's are delicate and tender and filled with fresh goodness. - Potatoes - Crispy and crusty on the outside, smooth inside. Spiced just enough. - Coffee - Fresh and frequently refilled. Really good for diner coffee. - Pancakes - Generous, crisp outside and moist inside. Never rubbery, which is the sign of a good pancake to me. Certain things that are my go to; Spicy Eggs over easy with Andouille and a side of beans and rice, cheddar jalapeno cornbread, pancakes off the specials board. Service is genuinely friendly and attentive. Everyone who works there seems happy to be there and it shows.
(5)Joe C.
What the heck? With a name like Bayou Kitchen why are many people passing up their Cajun selections and ordering ordinary breakfast items? It's hard to find a Cajun restaurant in the northeast so when I find one I'm all over it like a cat and a bag of catnip. They make one of the spiciest gumbos I've ever eaten. Not that I'm complaining because I always welcome bringing on "the heat". I'm just saying because somebody who doesn't like spicy things may find it hard to finish. But then I suppose they wouldn't be eating inside the Bayou Kitchen to begin with. It tasted fine, but the accompanying jalapeño cornbread was sort of greasy. Homey and interesting character are understatements in describing this place. It's tucked away in the Back Bay neighborhood of Portland and when I visited many hipsters and locals were eating inside. They seemed to be regulars because the servers knew them by name. God only know why they weren't at work working one particular Friday morning (my excuse was because of my vacation). Their menu isn't overly extensive but I guess it doesn't need to be when they only serve breakfast and lunch. No dinner. Their cajun selections could use a few more items but their hot sauce selections are spot on. They have a shelf full of them and many of them come from local companies.
(4)Sandra B.
I've driven by this place so many times, but never knew of its awesomeness! Breakfast the Cajun way is the way to go. Our family of five went here for a Sunday breakfast and we all ordered different things, but no one was dissatisfied. The pancakes are huge-so a good tip to remember. I had the homemade hash which was terrific. The omelettes with the Cajun sausages looked, and according to my family, tasted good too. The service was really good for a hopping Sunday morning. Who knew adding some spice to our breakfast routine would prove to be so worth it! Now we have another breakfast place to add to our list!
(4)Kat M.
Spicy eggs & andouille sausage were fabulous. Orange whip pancakes were different, in a good way. Cornbread is grilled, don't miss it. Servers were friendly & it's obvious they like working at the Bayou Kitchen. This is a great find off the beaten path, and be sure to check out the Big Sky Bakery in the same block (their granola is the best!).
(5)Ellen S.
First time customer unlikely to return. Hash oddly seasoned and almost had to chase server down just to get coffee refill. Beans and rice good, sausage expensive for serving size.
(3)Selina C.
This place is the perfect brunch hang out! The service is fantastic, all incredibly kind people. I always feel welcome when I'm there. Their food is on point, the pancakes are my favorite there as well as the home fries plate!
(4)Steff D.
I'm one of those people who looks at both menus and reviews before I eat at a new(-to-me) place. I spent some serious time combing through Yelp, and it seemed a common thread about The Bayou Kitchen was the "coffee cake and blueberry pancakes". People raved about how delicious they were! So, I knew it was definitely one of the things I wanted to try when I came here. However, when I asked my server about them, she just gave me a blank stare like she had no idea what I was talking about. I pressed her for info - "Are they a special?" She told me that they weren't and that the cooks could make me whatever I wanted. I ordered just one (seeing other folks talk about how enormous they are), but was sorely disappointed at what I got. The pancake, while sizable, wasn't - in my opinion - all that flavorful. It just seemed like a big round of underwhelming, dry dough. I couldn't taste the coffee/coffee cake in it at all, and I could barely taste the blueberries. Even sharing the single pancake with my friend, we didn't finish it... not because we couldn't, but because we didn't want to. I also ordered The Veggie Homies, because - again - I had read that the home fries were "some of the best in the city." I, again, respectfully disagree. They were good, but nothing special. Actually the entire dish ended up being pretty boring. Home fries topped with veggies (onion, broccoli, mushrooms), cheese, and a homemade salsa. I'm always disappointed when a meal at a restaurant ends up being something I could have just as easily made at home. And that's what I felt about The Veggie Homies. It was good... it just wasn't memorable. And definitely not worth going out for when the kitchen of Chez Steff could have produced something similar! Except for the salsa, that is. And THAT'S where I'll put my two cents in about "what to get" if you're coming to The Bayou Kitchen. The salsa was DELICIOUS. It wasn't too wet (which is a trait I hate about most salsas), it wasn't onion heavy (which many homemade salsas can be), and it packed a really delightful and unexpected punch of heat. It's probably one of the best salsas in town! If they could produce it for some of the Mexican restaurants in town, I'd be a very happy girl. Personally, if I'm going to go out for breakfast or brunch, there has to be a wow-factor. And for me, The Bayou Kitchen just didn't have it. In the end, I don't think TBK is awful... it's just not for me. I'm a vegetarian who cooks (really fabulous dishes) at home a lot. Because of those two things, The Bayou Kitchen just didn't impress me. But... BUT!... If you like meat, if you like traditional diner-style/greasy spoon food... this place might be right up your alley (for A LOT of people it is; that's just not my preferred cuisine, and neither is Cajun).
(2)Ethan D.
Unlike any other breakfast spot in town. A truly unique blend of traditional Cajun-style dishes made from fresh ingredients make for a one-of-a-kind breakfast/lunch. The scrambles and omelets are light and fluffy with blends of spicy meats, veggies, and cheeses. Will surely be back to check out the rest of the menu!
(5)Anthony F.
Def a local spot that is worth trying.Nothing fancy about this cajon greasy spoon, but it was delish! The kind of place where your sitting at a table waiting for it to be cleared from the previous patrons. That said you know it must be good cuz its filled with people waiting for breakfast on a Saturday morning. This spot is better if your not a boring eater, bit still has the run of the mill breakfast items to accommodate different strokes. Bustling atmosphere and really good food :)
(4)Christine L.
Liking the food here really is a matter of taste... I can see that other reviewers really LOVED their food. Unfortunately for me, I can't handle the amount of sodium and spice that was loaded into the Gumbo I ordered for lunch. Since it was gumbo, I wasn't all too disappointed by the brown goopy mass that came served with a small portion of white rice. I'm a self-proclaimed salt-lover, so I was surprised that I was needing to take gulps of my water with every scoop. This may be in part due to the spice, but I usually enjoy spicy things! I DID enjoy their jalapeno cornbread, the blueberry one was quite tasty as well! I was also wondering why our food took as long as it did, considering the gumbo should've been premade...
(2)Joshua S.
If only I could give these rascist zero I would. We noticed we were the only Asians there and we Sat there for 20 minutes without having our orders taken. Normally that'd be okay since they're busy but when our waiter sat a white couple next to us, then served then drinks and food within 5 minutes that's fucked up. So yeah screw this place. Eat at the place next door instead.
(1)Katie R.
The bayou kitchen is my favorite spot in Portland, hands down. Sometimes the wait can be a bit much, but trust me, its worth it! The food is Cajun inspired breakfast and lunch. Everything I've ever ordered has been spectacular. The service is always quick once you get seated, the staff is friendly and knowledgeable, and the prices are very reasonable. Absolutely the best home fries in Portland- they constantly have a big pile cooking on the grill, so they're always crispy and delicious. They have a whole shelf of hot sauces to choose from! Definitely one of the best hidden treasures in Portland!
(5)Jay N.
Busy breakfast spot and as a real, true-blooded boy from Acadiana (Cajun country, South Louisiana) I couldn't wait to try some of the local Cajun style fair. The gumbo is good; very good for the area and these folks seem dedicated to it. Not exactly like my mom would make, but this isn't Cajun country so I get it. A bit heavy on the file' but spiced just right, though not enough rice. They're popular for their red beans and rice (which is actually a Creole dish, not indigenous to the Cajun people, but still a staple down home). I unfortunately have to pass on that but it's still good if your'e hankering for RB&R. Not much of a roux in it and I'm not used to my red beans having the shredded beef; but again, not bad, just not authentic, to me. Service is friendly though when attempting to say hello to the owner, he was a bit barky. He was busy though. The wait is usually at least 20 minutes and we noticed that the place could easily fit a few more tables. The tables also are the size of playing cards, so not sure what's going on there, but it makes for an uncomfortable lunch or breakfast when you and your dining partner are nudging for space on the tiny table, already crowded with the accoutrements of small diners. For some odd reason they won't offer take out on weekends; perhaps they're just too busy to box the food up so if you want to take your leftovers home, bring some TupperWare... I did, but I'm country that way. ;-)
(3)Stephen C.
The chicken gumbo is 5-star! The pancakes were quite average though.
(4)Ian E.
Best brunch in Portland. Awesome selection of hot sauces. The huevos rancheros and piquant soup are my favorite items on the menu. The omelets are also great.
(5)Joseph S.
Hands down the BEST breakfast place in Portland. Great food and outstanding service! The veggie swamp omelet and the side of blueberry cornbread is to die for... a must if you live anywhere near Portland.
(5)John N.
Hands down the best breakfast in Portland! Their hash was amazing. My wife got one of their specials and was in heaven from the first bite! This is our new spot.
(5)Emily B.
I have mixed feelings about Bayou Kitchen. Given that it's my neighborhood breakfast spot, I have a certain attachment to it, but I often wonder if it's an affinity that would stick around if I didn't live in the area. For one thing, you almost always have to wait here, unless you a) go early or b) choose to dine by yourself or maybe one other person, so you can sit at the counter. The place is efficient, but small, so it's hard to accommodate big groups in a timely fashion. I would imagine I'd be more impressed by this place if I ate meat, since it seems like they have some creative New Orleans-style fare, but as it stands I usually go for standard eggs & grits, or a build-your-own omelette. Their specials should also be taken into consideration, and if they have blueberry coffeecake pancakes, you should get one. Their pancakes are big enough that my boyfriend and I usually split one in addition to our own meals. Hot sauce is standard on all tables, but there's also a shelf of offerings you can choose from. I'm usually too overwhelmed by all the choices and stick with the table stuff. The staff here is friendly, and you'll see the same faces if you make a habit of stopping in regularly. Definitely give it a try, but keep in mind that it's more of a diner atmosphere than some of Portland's classier breakfast options.
(3)Elizabeth L.
One of my favorite breakfast places... Never too crowded or loud. Food is great (I love the huevos rancheros and their delicious cornbread.) The service is great, and the vibe is fun and relaxed. Can you tell I really love this place?
(5)Rachel D.
Friendly, comfort food about a 2 minute walk from my apartment. The staff at Bayou were friendly and laid back. We were one of three tables occupied and it was definitely a delicious breakfast. The coffee was great, and they also had a plethora of hot sauces - if you're into that sorta thing, which I can only assume you are since we're talking about a cajun breakfast place here. They also recommend the cornbread with breakfast, which I didn't hate but would probably just stick with regular toast next time. The staff definitely contributes to the atmosphere, and it's a perfect spot for a Sunday morning meal. I had the Baton Rogue but I will definitely be back to try their Huevos Rancheros.
(3)John O.
This place is a slap in the face in the morning and the best possible way to wake up! Went here on a weekend trip to Portland and LOVED every bite. I had the "Cajun Scramble" w/ crawfish, andouille sausage and jalapenos. Amazing! The side of red beans and rice was soooo good I wanted to take a tub of it home. My wife had the "3 Alarm Omlet" with Chilli, homemade salsa and sour cream. The omlet was perfectly cooked and HUGE! She is also a pancake fanatic and ordered a single pancake with pecans and granola. The pancake was the size of the plate and VERY thick, and cooked to perfection. I would highly recommend this place to anyone looking for the perfect start to a day!
(5)Martha C.
One of few places in Maine for New Orleans cuisine and it still delivers the flavors of the Crescent City. One tip though, on weekends, be sure to arrive before 9 am if you can but definitely before 10 am as that is when the wait starts to lengthen. No worries though because the efficient waitstaff has tables so well-paced that you won't mind. Diners are treated respectfully - not rushed nor do they sit waiting endlessly for orders to be taken or food to be delivered. Although the menu is a bit pricy for breakfast (the bill for 2 for our other favorite haunt in Lewiston routinely comes up under $20) you won't leave hungry. I've eaten both breakfast and lunch and can vouch for the authenticity of the N'awlins cuisine. Though I don't recall seeing beignets on the menu but you can get those up the street at Po' Boys 'n Pickles (another fave). Jambalaya brimming with chunks of Andouille sausage, veggies and al dente rice sided with red beans and rice as well as flaky biscuits the size of a cat's head and golden, slightly sweet cornbread. For breakfast, I thoroughly polished off the special scramble (you can have it as an omelet as well) polish sausage, caramelized onions and red peppers - a winning combo with a side of red beans 'n rice, and a biscuit nicely substituted for a toast. Parking is not a problem and this nice little one way street that acts as a gateway to the USM campus from the Woodfords side also is home to the amazing Artist and Craftsman Supply store should you care to wander around the aisles for some art supplies. For those who prefer a lighter breakfast, across the way is Big Sky Bakery that serves as a meeting place for families, business tête-à -têtes and for those who want a convivial atmosphere to check on email, etc. Bayou Kitchen has quietly graced the Portland restaurant scene since its heyday in the late 80's and I recall dining here along with Silly's, Katahdin, Good Egg Café, Alberta's and The Tree as well as dancing at Zootz. It's good to see that it's still going strong. Laissez les bon temps roulé!
(5)Christina F.
The jumbalaya with crawfish is awesome! A bit of a wait (no reservations taken) but friendly service... And really tasty home fries!
(5)Lynn B.
Totally worth our four mile trek for the Cajun scramble!
(4)Reagan C.
The Bayou Kitchen is a solid Cajun breakfast spot hidden off the beaten track in Portland. I went into the diner feeling very torn about my breakfast choices. I felt under some obligation to order something with crawfish or andouille sausage, but I had Yelped the joint the night before, and everyone was raving about the pancakes. Ok, you've all twisted my arm, despite my guilt, I decided to forgo the Cajun fare for some specialty pancakes. The pancake of the day was the Coffee Cake Pancake with Blueberries. I added a side of Bacon and an order of Real Maple Syrup to mine. My father did me a solid and ordered the Cajun scramble - a scrambled egg dish with jalapeños, andouille, and crawfish - and I was eager to taste test. With his meal, he got a side of grilled blueberry cornbread. As soon as the plates arrived, I grabbed a corner or his cornbread and got to chomping. It was ok, but I consider myself a cornbread connoisseur, and I was expecting a punch of flavor, which I did not receive. What did not disappoint, however, was my coffee cake pancake with blueberries. In all honesty, I was blown away with my first bite! The pancake was very nicely seasoned and really tasted like a coffee cake. Being in Maine, the blueberries were, of course, fresh and juicy. I stole a few bites of my dad's scramble, which was tasty, but I much preferred my choice. My side of bacon was a bit dry and unremarkable, but still ok and still bacon, so needless to say it was gone in about a minute. The service in the diner was good in general. I got the impression that our waiter was an owner or at least the manager. She was very personable and made great suggestions throughout the meal, and she was very accommodating to our special requests. At one point, two of the staff got into a loud argument in the middle of service, which did make the atmosphere somewhat uncomfortable, however our waiter drifted right back into the good customer service she exhibited earlier in the meal, and we continued on enjoying our food. I'm struggling a bit with the rating on this one. I really enjoyed my pancakes, but the disruption in service, mediocre bacon, and slightly disappointing cornbread bring it from a 4 to a 3. I would probably return here, but I'm not sure it's the first place I would revisit. A solid "A-ok!"
(3)Trevor L.
The food is great but it's not the cleanest place around. Found a nasty hair in our food which didn't help the feeling that the place was a bit dirty. Other than that, the food is tasty and the service friendly.
(3)Cindi W.
ok, right on, not bad. This place was recommended to us when we were in South Carolina..ha! I am not a fan of spicy, but I am a fan of GRITS. This place has GRITS, hot and creamy. Speaking of spicy, they have a shelf with about 30 different hot sauces on it. WOW! I did put some spicy sauce in my grits. I had their hash with 2 eggs. Yummy! And I had their pumpkin cornbread which was damn good! It was pretty tasty. Hubby had a griddle cake that was big and fluffy with a side of sausage. He said the sausage was fantastic. I had their irish spice breakfast tea. it was good. but you know, we like ENGLISH BREAKFAST with no extra stuff. (like no Earl Grey) So my polite suggestion to this fab place is Please serve English Breakfast tea AND you may want to serve Cheesy Grits, in addition to plain grits. Your grits are good. Cheesy grits would be awesome. And for your previous reviews, this is Maine not Louisiana, so they do creole the New England way. It is dang good. Still sassy and spicy. If this was a bar, this place would ROCK! Oh, we will be back because we really liked this place.
(4)Bramfy B.
best scramble I've had to date. Cajun Scramble! - crawfish sausage jalepano scramble was a gift from the breaky gods. homemade hash on the side and blue berry cornbread. ate it all and want more
(5)Kyung R.
I don't understand the raving reviews for this place. I came here for lunch and had the gumbo, but it was pretty awful. It was overly salty, and I am a person who loves their spam! If there was any flavoring besides the salt, I could not tell. It was totally overwhelming and this is a place I will not come back to in the future. However, there are some positives to this place. The service was prompt and friendly. Even though the food took longer then expected, it was good overall. The power went out when ordering, so they were really helpful in working out how to pay our bill without access to our credit cards. The food I did enjoy was the cornbread, all their different varieties, and they were all amazing.
(2)Heather G.
Hands down the best breakfast diner in the area if you appreciate creativity and flavor and fantastic service. Bayou Kitchen is just a pleasure all around. The huevos rancheros are superb--perfectly balanced flavors and texture with an over easy egg. The hash is also delightful--not your average hash at all and do not pass up a side of cheddar jalapeño cornbread. The portions are generous and they make the best blueberry pancakes I've tasted in a long long time. If there's a wait, brave it out. You won't regret it!
(5)Han C.
I grew up in a small Alabama town called Bayou La Batre, which was fun for a kid who liked poking crawfish that would appear in the gutters. Aw, childhood memories of innocently torturing animals! I have always associated crawfish with the Bayou - so seeing those mudbugs on the menu here at the likenamed Kitchen instantly excited me. The BFF and I ordered: two single pancakes (ginger and the special pancake of the day - peaches and cream), a plate of the Cajun scramble (crawfish + cheddar + andouille sausage + pickled jalapenos) to share with home fries + pieces of jalapeno and blueberry grilled cornbreads. Yes. BREAKFAST FEAST. The service here is homey and so personable. The kitchen split our breakfast entree for us which I always looove! The moment the plates hit our tables, our noses were swoooning from the spice of the eggs and cornbread and the sweetness from the pancakes. And then we stopped talking to each other. We communicated only with nods after each bite. A confirmation that there were no words to describe the perfection. Everything was just divine. Mudbugs were ultra-plump, the sausage was so perfect, the cornbread crisped and golden, and the pancakes light and fluffy. Seriously too good. And not to call us geniuses (but you can feel free to call us that!), but I'd say we ordered the perfect amount of food for two - complete satiation without food baby impregnantion. Sweet!
(5)Charles W.
Great breakfast spot. Portland has two Cajun food spots, not bad at all. One day I will get the crayfish. Sometimes the wait can be a 20-30 minutes, but they did recently expand the place. Great hot sauce collection look for the hot sauce board!
(5)Sheila S.
I went for breakfast on a very hot July day. They do NOT have air conditioning. Not sure if they're trying to create the New Orleans ambiance or what. The red beans and rice were AWESOME. My food was good but I took it to go because it was too hot. Maybe I'll go sometime in December and give an actual review on the food.
(2)Katie P.
Hands down the beat breakfast place ever! I think the best way tot judge breakfast is coffee and homefries. Bayou Kitchen wins in both...perfect dark roast coffee. Homefries grilled for a long time, for that perfect crunchy exterior and soft center. I once had the huevos racheros three times in the same weekend. Get them with eggs over easy and the black beans. Heaven...
(5)Beau C.
I saw this and was skeptical (I'm from Louisiana), so I had to try it. Pleasantly surprised with the red beans, glad to have grits (put salt, pepper and butter in it, then crumble your bacon in it and you are set!). Although the red beans had shredded beef and we do it with tasso ham chunks, it was flavorful and good. The crawfish and andouille and cheddar scramble was really yummy and filling. I would definitely recommend the place. I'll have to try the jambalaya or gumbo next time...
(4)Kristal K.
My favorite breakfast spot! The place is cozy and colorful, the staff is friendly, the food is fantastic and arrives quickly, and they always play music I enjoy. I love the red beans and rice, the selection of cornbread and the grits. The El Rancho Verde omelet is one of my favorites, plus all the specials I have tried have been just great.
(5)Shanna W.
It was the first visit for my group of friends at this establishment. We had the meat homie plate, a jambalaya dish and a smokin' caterpillar. The biggest raves = jalapeño cheddar cornbread. The other dishes were good, but the taste popped when adding the...comeaux sauce, a spicy/sweet condiment. Service was friendly, to get you in and out quickly and efficiently. Bright atmosphere. It's a smaller space that seems to get a lot of business and would benefit by revisiting how their seating is utilized to reduce the seating time, since there's no place to stay inside, and say, have a drink while you're waiting. That however is just a personal preference. They do invite you to browse the nearby businesses and call you when your table is ready
(4)Xiaoshan Z.
Perfect food! Maybe I've been here too long to be picky... But the food there was the best southern food I had for months... Small, family-owned cozy place with friendly people; you can see them cooking behind the counter. And they serve the best hash browns ever!!!!
(5)Rob K.
This is a place you go to before you take a shower. I turned into a greasy, red-faced Scotsman after breakfast here. Although I have never been to Louisiana, I imagine this greasy spoon accurately portrays a cafe down south. It's like eating in grandma's kitchen, except it's missing the plume of cigarette smoke. I enjoyed sitting at the counter, next to the Cajun cook-off trophies. At the counter you can get a feel for the whole operation that happens right before your eyes, from the dishwasher, to the home fries sizzling on the portable griddle, to the grill master, to the chili stirrer. The staff is friendly and the food is affordable. Everything on the menu is under $10. Bayou is popular with the locals and distanced away from the Old Port. Excellent variety on the menu, with all that bayou charm and spice. Only open for breakfast and lunch. So many things that I didn't get a chance to try: Classic Jambalaya Chicken Piquant Chicken and Sausage Gumbo Scramble with crawfish, andouille, jalapenos, and cheddar My mouth is watering. I'll be back.
(4)Brian R.
I first visited the Bayou Kitchen two months ago on a Sunday morning with my mother-in-law. She had been previously and gave this place nothing but high marks. She was right. The food was incredible and the wait-staff was so friendly. I accidentally ordered the wrong menu item and the staff there was so friendly to re-fire my meal - they insisted I have the meal I came for. Portland is a cool place, with many local restaurants to choose from. The Bayou Kitchen is one of the best restaurants in Portland. I'm proud to have these folks in my community!
(5)Liam S.
First visiting this place. It seemed to take a while to get service, but after we ordered the food came very quickly. For brunch it was good. Doesn't seem like a good place to bring kids. Bathroom was clean.
(3)Gary B.
Best home fries in the city in my book , love the assortment of hot sauce you can choose from on your own . ..Oh and thanks for the larger water glasses (The little things that make a big difference )
(5)Hana O.
A hole in the wall. Very welcoming! The breakfast food is SO delicious oh my goodness. My family got French Bread on Italian bread, Banana Pancakes, and Chocolate Chip Pancakes.
(5)Kyle B.
We had just bought coffee at Coffee By Design, and decided to stop here for breakfast. When we took our coffee in, they gave us the option of holding it for us or, if we wanted to drink it, charge us for their coffee. All tables except one were empty at the time, and remained so. They won't be getting my business, ever.
(1)Michael J.
Nice establishment. My family has several Cajun members, and this place, off the beaten track in Portland, ME, did in fact measure up. A small, friendly place with an alligator attached to the wall. How can you go wrong? My wife had the Huey P. Long plate with andouille sausage and spicy eggs, and I had the cajun scramble with crawfish and andouille...both were excellent and we ate every bit. We were lucky to get there early, as the place filled up quickly, and this was during a blizzard. Clearly it's a popular place, and earns its reputation as a tasty, cheap breakfast place.
(4)Mike T.
This place is a real "hole-in-the-wall. There are, maybe eight tables: three or four two-seaters and two or three four, five or (if you're friends) six-seaters. There is counter space, but be forewarned: it's two steps up to the stool. If you're on the short side, your feet will dangle. More importantly, when you leave, if you don't remember it exists, missing that second step guarantees your departure will be noticed by all. There is usually a crowd waiting outside, which on a cold winter morning can be a lot of fun. But the wait is well worth it. Where else can you get a taste - and a good-sized taste - of New Orleans while lounging in Maine's largest city? The food is very, very tasty, Doesn't matter what you order. It's just downright good. Me? I'm a crawdad, jalapeno man, so I go straight for the Cajun Omelete. My wife enjoys the hash dish. Either one is savory, and all dishes come with grits, or beans or fries and toast. Cornbread, either plain or peppered with jalepenos is a big half-buck extra. Can't beat that with a stick. This is an early-morning place, so figure on being there no later than Noon. Earlier is better. Sit down, order, and enjoy.
(4)Dean F.
The man at the front desk in long dark hair was so rude to us we will never go back. Told him it was our first time there. Didn't seem to mean anything to him. If you're in the restaurant business at the front end talking with customers you need to be inviting. Not a rude jerk.
(1)Steve T.
First visit today. Most excellent! We had a mud bug omelette and a Cajun scramble with grits, home fries and corn bread. All were great. The place seats 24 including 8 at the counter. There was a short wait to get inside. The pancakes and French toast looked excellent as well. The chef did a whole lot with a 40" griddle. The owner told us they were going to close for three weeks to expand rearward and make more space. I will surely return for more.
(5)Deanna D.
The Bayou Kitchen has a great breakfast menu. Its puts a Creole touch on the typical menu. My bf had the corned beef hash omelet with black beans and rice and cornbread which he really enjoyed. I had the mud-pie omelet which was a craw-fish and Cheddar omelet topped with tomato salsa and served with veg. black bean and rice and jalapenos cornbread. That was also super tasty. The craw-fish was well cooked and the dish was well seasoned. The crowd and vibe in restaurant was definitely laid back and everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves. The restaurant has lots of character and the service was great. We would come back for breakfast again!
(3)Michael P.
Brunch was really fast and easy. The environment is cozy and small. Warning if you have a party of 7 or more you would have to be seated separate.
(4)Regina J.
We ended our stay in Portland with breakfast at Bayou Kitchen. Had the cajun scramble which was to die for - andouille, crawfish, jalapenos and cheese in a huge omelette complete with homefries and blueberry cornbread. Breakfast is my favorite meal of the day, and that morning I'd felt as if I'd died and gone to omelette heaven. My partner got the cajun red beans with rice, and that too was soooo good! Our server was very friendly and attentive, and there was a sweet, homey ambiance that I now miss. Can't wait to go back to Portland to stuff my face again!
(5)Jenny M.
After having avoided this place over the last several years due to bad service, we decided to give it another go. We used to love it years ago when the two ladies owned it, but when they sold it went down hill. We had not been in since they expanded and we assumed it's under new ownership. Unfortunately, we received awful service once again. The place was somewhat busy, so we were okay with waiting 10 minutes or so to order, esp. since the waitress said it would be a few minutes before she could make it over for our order. After about 20 minutes of waiting, I politely said to the waitress as she walked past "We are ready to order". She once again said "I'll take your order as soon as I get a chance". She then proceeded to clear off a 2 top nearby even though nobody was waiting to sit there. At this point, my friend said to me "Let's get out of here". I was pretty speechless that clearing off a table was more important than a paying customer and agreed to leave. Suddenly, a man who I think was the owner flew over to our table and asked us what we would like to order. So, we decided just to order at that point. I thought the scrambled eggs and corn bread I got was fine. My friend was disappointed in the tiny half of an andouille sausage he received (they used to give you an entire sausage, he said, and for cheaper) and his rice and beans were half cold. Despite all this, I would probably go back if it weren't for the flippant service we received. Never did anyone say "Sorry for the wait, guys" and that would've make a huge difference. We just got the impression our patronage was a big pain in the rear to them. We live in Portland and eat out very often and this place is once again on our "No go" list.
(1)Lars F.
Seems like a local joint, but when I told the staff I found them on Yelp they said a lot of people have found them through Yelp as well. Anyway, it was a short wait to get in on a Sunday morning, but worth it. The place is very small, but it seems like authentic food. The staff is friendly and so are the prices. If a clean floor is not your thing, then this place is not for you, but if you like good food and a nice staff, this is it!
(4)Bud P.
Best breakfast spot outside of the old port
(5)Ginny P.
My favorite breakfast place in portland. Corn bread with blueberries, great omelets and hash.
(5)Liz H.
After brunch here this morning, The Bayou Kitchen will be added to my list of delicious, unpretentious Portland breakfast spots worth frequenting. I had eggs over easy with red beans and rice and cornbread, as well as the bottomless cup of coffee. Cornbread was great, red beans and rice (with pulled pork, yum!) were superlative. More importantly, there were about a dozen things on the menu I was eager to try. And the trivial pursuit cards made for a fun activity. I will most certainly return, hopefully soon.
(4)Unkl- T.
Great breakfast spot. Short wait on a Sunday
(4)Michael P.
My favorite breakfast place in Portland. Good spicy food that is unlike that of any other restaurant in Portland.
(5)Kelley K.
It's small, but packs a big punch! My first attempt at this cajun diner was New Year's Day. Alas, Bayou Kitchen, and most of Portland, was closed. But this weekend presented another opportunity. The gods were clearly with us this time. We found parking on the street right in front of the place, and there were two empty stools calling our names. The menu is small, but everything sounded tempting. Do I go with an egg sandwich with andouille? Gumbo? an omelette? pancakes? In the end I opted for home made hash with an egg and corn bread. My options for corn bread were plain, blueberry or cheese and jalapeno. Oh, or toast. Regular, but un-boring, grilled cornbread was for me. My companion is not a breakfast guy, so he opted for the other side of the menu. Jambalaya. And wow, it was spicy. But not just that, it was also very complex in flavor. It tasted like black pepper, red pepper and fresh peppers all developed into a smoky, deep bowl of warm goodness. I supposed Bayou Kitchen would not be great for a large group of people, or people who prefer chain restaurants. But if you want real cooking, authentic flavors and character, check this out.
(5)Matthew M.
The Bayou Kitchen is a motherf%$*ing bad-ass place to eat. Mark it, dude. This is the place for breakfast. Good folks, good prices, great eggs. For once I am just going to keep it short and sweet.
(5)Charlie K.
Went here again. I'm pretty sure the food was good, but everybody was so unfriendly it made it taste bad and I don't want to go back again. Maybe they had a rough week -- I got the feeling there might have been some staffing changes or something. But the way the server yelled at us made me anxious and unable to relax.
(2)Sam A.
Had the breakfast special which consisted of jalapeno cornbread top with a poached egg,sausage links, and hollandaise sauce. The food was overall just ok.
(3)N K.
Wow, this was a great find. Spent the weekend in Portland and we had the Bayou on our to do list and so glad we went. Small place so be prepared to wait. We went on a Sunday morning at 9:30 and told it would be a 30 minute wait for a table for 4. They were ready for us in in 20. Great wait staff and fun menu. We had the corned beed hash omlette, eggs over hash, 3 sausage with eggs and huevos. Silence at our table as we enjoyed every bite. Check out the 3 or 4 types of cornbread and wall of hot sauces that you can sample with your dish. Better than Becky's and the Porthole and worth the wait.
(5)Jacquelyn A.
I'm a southern girl who loves her grits! This is my favorite brunch place in Portland and I love to bring friends from out of town. There is always a wait on weekends, but now that they have expanded, it's not too bad. I definitely recommend the meat homie plate.
(4)Lindsay P.
Excellent breakfast. Banana bread French toast is nothing short of amazing!
(4)Alika Marie W.
This is breakfast worth finding in Portland. A charming little place with mismatched tables and a high counter looking at the kitchen. i love their corned beef hash, Mmm mmm. The staff is always courteous and efficient, ready with the coffee refills.
(4)s w.
Tasty food, friendly service, and good prices. Our family definitely recommends! Hash was great. Cajun Scramble omelet was great. Delicious jalapeno cornbread. Pecan pancakes - yum! We'll be back next time we're in Portland!
(5)Adam M.
This place is awesome! I've been on the road on tour for 11 days all throughout the East Coast and stopped here En Route to a Festival in Maine. By far the best food we've eaten on the tour so far. Get the Tri-Sausage Omelet and cornbread. Killing!!
(5)P L.
What a delicious discovery! After a tiring long weekend of fantastic food and cheer in the Old Port, this little place ended it on a high note. We sat at the counter, right in front of the cook, and we ordered their spicy scrambled eggs with andouille sausage, and a breakfast tortilla with black bean chili (huevos something or other) to share .. both had tasty cajun home fries on the side. We also had a couple bottomless coffees and an OJ and walked away feeling supremely satisfied, but not greasy, with a $25 bill (including decent tip). Bargain. Next time I'll be brave and do a crawfish omelet.
(5)Michelle D.
The spicier, the better & the veggie jambalaya didn't disappoint. Fckng awesome!
(5)Jeffrey F.
We went again. Still great and consistent as always!
(4)Sarah C.
I was hungover, and Bayou Kitchen was the cure. Grits and biscuits, eggs and taters. Good coffee, quick service. Always a good time at BK.
(4)Jamie B.
Most underrated restaurant anywhere in my opinion. My wife and I travel here twice a year from Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada . . . It is that great. How this place has never been on a couple of certain food programs, is beyond me. Hell it seems none of our friends who live in the area have heard of it. Oh well, there loss.
(5)Christina L.
One of my fav spots to eat in Portland. Although it is almost always a wait on the wkends (the place is very small) it is well worth the wait. The cajun spiced homefries are the reason I drag myself out of bed and get to the Bayou Kitchen. The service is prompt and the food always comes out hot. Great place to get some breakfast food that is a little out of the ordinary eggs and toast. Cajun spices, crawfish, blackbeans, and cornbread add pizazz to brunch :)
(5)Fred S.
As a Woodfords neighborhood staple, The Bayou Kitchen has had its ups and downs. Over the last couple years, the whole operation runs better than ever! It is a small place with a set number of staff, but the food is excellent and the price is right! If you go on a weekday morning you won't have to wait, but on the weekends it can be 10-15 minutes. If I have to wait I usually go get a loaf of bread at the bakery across the street, in the old firehouse!
(4)Sarah G.
Wow, I don't know how I missed reviewing this place. I was probably still in shock from the best breakfast ever. Service was rushed, but that's because the place is small and everyone was probably as anxious to get their food as we were. Jalapeno corn bread is great, black beans were awe inspiring. I tried to re-create this breakfast for months afterwards. Husband had eggs and red beans and rice and was likewise awed. If you like spice and/or cajun flavors, this is your place. We've often talked about just driving up for breakfast and driving back down, but we're usually too hungry in the morning to imagine a two hour drive to food. Soon, though, soon.
(5)Pam S.
Omg good! I had the pecan pancakes, my husband had the jambalaya - we were blown away! Amazingly good and reasonably priced (great music station too) - a stand out experience.
(5)Rachel D.
This is our absolute favorite place for breakfast! The food is consistently delicious every single time. I tend to always get the three alarm omelet, it is so delicious. I also love their cornbread. The staff is always friendly and the food comes out quickly. Now I just need to get there for lunch to try their gumbo because I have a feeling it's probably amazing.
(5)Brian D.
I tried a crawfish omelette, which was fantastic, served with a local hot sauce (their house sauce, "Lost in the woods", which leaves something to be desired but is reasonable), with a side of home fries and the cheddar jalapeno cornbread. The cornbread gets a solid 5 stars, home fries were evenly cooked, crispy and well seasoned, but the taste was a little bit off for me -- perhaps I just have a mild aversion to cajun spices, though I generally love spicy food. The omelette / scramble was light on the crawfish and heavy on a cajun sausage which was much less tasty, though overall solid. Coffee was average for a diner enviornment. Service was modestly inattentive, but acceptable. I would certainly return, and I almost gave this place 4 stars, but I feel that the current set of yelp reviews somewhat overrate its appeal, so I rounded down from my "3.5 *" realistic rating.
(3)Kayser K.
Awesome breakfast. Get the cornbread. Cornbeef hash was amazing and the food that is supposed to be spicy actually is, so beware and enjoy!
(5)matthew f.
The balls and the taint. Don't miss out.
(5)Valerie P.
The best breakfast in Portland. Everything is great and the blueberry corn bread is a must!
(5)Mimi W.
This place was really cute, and although I think my meal (french toast) could have been better, everyone else's meals of the people I brunched with, looked excellent.
(4)at S.
Best place in Portland to get a spicy breakfast. Friendly service, good food... the only downside is really the location. Of course that might be the thing that keeps it from being obnoxiously packed as well.
(4)Shantelle F.
Writing this review before I even leave the place.. Probably my favorite breakfast place in Portland which says a lot because I grew up here. Soooo many options and different kinds of foods. Great for vegetarians too. Awesome pancakes, flavored cornbreads and bomb homefries. I will definitely come back next time I am in town.
(5)Justine J.
Seriously, this place is good. The staff is awesome (and it's always the same 5-6 people there). Super friendly and hilarious. The atmosphere is laid-back. It's cozy in there and interesting to look around at the stuff on the walls. They've got an entire SEVERAL SHELVES worth of delicious hot sauce for your consumption. The granola pancakes are excellent, pecan pancakes are excellent, chocolate chip pancakes, regular pancakes... omelettes, breakfast sandwiches, home fries, sausage, bacon... yeah, now I'm drooling.
(5)Carlo G.
Went for breakfast and had some outstanding spicy eggs. The andouille sausage and jalapeño cornbread were delicious. There was one let down though. The grits were disappointing. They were VERY watery. So much so that they were served in a cup and as I let them sit they settled leaving a quarter inch of water on top. The kicker was when I asked the server if I could get a better batch. She went away and came back saying the boss said they had no time to get me some and she offered to not charge for the coffee. Personally I thought that was poor service since I was in the south last week and was greeted with a smile everywhere I went...overall I would give them another chance.
(2)Dani C.
My all time favorite breakfast place! This place has a Cajun flare. They have an extensive selection of delicious omlets! I have never tried the crawfish omlet but my friend for Louisiana said that if wasn't good.. But everything else is great! My favorite is the ginger pancakes and blueberry corn bread. Also this place fills up fast and it is small so be prepared to get there early or wait! If you have to wait I recommend browsing the art store across the street. In the summer it is sickly hot in there.. But they do have takeout and the food is worth it.
(5)Ashley R.
One of my favorite breakfast spots in the city. Great food, great service, good atmosphere. The whole menu is homemade and super tasty. Be sure to try the homemade blueberry or jalapeño cheddar cornbread!
(5)Pam S.
Omg good! I had the pecan pancakes, my husband had the jambalaya - we were blown away! Amazingly good and reasonably priced (great music station too) - a stand out experience.
(5)Rachel D.
This is our absolute favorite place for breakfast! The food is consistently delicious every single time. I tend to always get the three alarm omelet, it is so delicious. I also love their cornbread. The staff is always friendly and the food comes out quickly. Now I just need to get there for lunch to try their gumbo because I have a feeling it's probably amazing.
(5)Brian D.
I tried a crawfish omelette, which was fantastic, served with a local hot sauce (their house sauce, "Lost in the woods", which leaves something to be desired but is reasonable), with a side of home fries and the cheddar jalapeno cornbread. The cornbread gets a solid 5 stars, home fries were evenly cooked, crispy and well seasoned, but the taste was a little bit off for me -- perhaps I just have a mild aversion to cajun spices, though I generally love spicy food. The omelette / scramble was light on the crawfish and heavy on a cajun sausage which was much less tasty, though overall solid. Coffee was average for a diner enviornment. Service was modestly inattentive, but acceptable. I would certainly return, and I almost gave this place 4 stars, but I feel that the current set of yelp reviews somewhat overrate its appeal, so I rounded down from my "3.5 *" realistic rating.
(3)Kayser K.
Awesome breakfast. Get the cornbread. Cornbeef hash was amazing and the food that is supposed to be spicy actually is, so beware and enjoy!
(5)matthew f.
The balls and the taint. Don't miss out.
(5)Valerie P.
The best breakfast in Portland. Everything is great and the blueberry corn bread is a must!
(5)Mimi W.
This place was really cute, and although I think my meal (french toast) could have been better, everyone else's meals of the people I brunched with, looked excellent.
(4)at S.
Best place in Portland to get a spicy breakfast. Friendly service, good food... the only downside is really the location. Of course that might be the thing that keeps it from being obnoxiously packed as well.
(4)